VERY SPECIAL NOTE: I believe — as of 11:27am PST, 10/24/09 — that I’m forced to settle (at the moment) for simply asking citizens to consider Parecon/Parsoc, to read about/discuss the concepts therein. And to — sans the use of a party or attempt at a large scale movement — push for change on various levels, in various arenas using that as a point of departure. Feel free to contact me for details, etc. at tosca.2010[at]yahoo.com. NO PARTY FOR NOW. [Pause.] Maybe. UPDATE as of 11/6: I’ve returned to embracing Chomsky’s view of Parecon… which precludes having a political party centered on Michael Albert’s economic theory. That said, there is still much of value to be gleaned from M.A.’s work.

The Parecon Plus Party
by Oxz (Richard Martin Oxman)

A small group of friends and I intend to have twelve unaffiliated, non-politician citizens functioning together (on an equal basis) as Governor of California in 2011. In lieu of having a single self-serving careerist at the helm once again. If successful (1), our coalition would have — in short order — a very positive impact not just on California, but on the entire earth. For any Governor of California can do many things unilaterally which could create historic, worldwide ripples.

The Global BDS Movement (http://www.bdsmovement.net/) — which could significantly impact on the U.S. military, the life of Palestinians and much more — is just one example of a realm where our Governor of California could wield enormous influence in the special capacity he/she serves within the UC Regents (as per http://oxtogrind.org/archive/311). And, in that same capacity, the Governor could institute dramatic changes in work and education statewide unilaterally. This is the mere tip of the historic iceberg which our coalition would set afloat.

We call our vision TOSCA (Taking Over the State of California). Individual citizens will run as working figurehead candidates for both Governor and Lieutenant Governor, but once in office virtually all decisions would be a result of a group effort. In addition, all decision-making sessions among the coalition and others (meeting with coalition members) would filmed live, the public having access to ALL exchanges.

I have many more details upon request, of course, but this piece is being posted primarily as a call for input respecting WHO should comprise our coalition. If you have any recommendations, please let us know. Ditto for suggestions with regard to positions you’d like to see us take, comments regarding specific issues.

We will be closely aligned with much that’s in the political agendas of the Green Party, the Peace and Freedom Party and the Socialist Party, and we would like to see members of those parties move in solidarity with us at least on the gubernatorial race for 2010. Since we reject the candidates of both major parties a priori, and do not want alternative agendas to be marginalized any longer, we trust that all progressive and so-called radical parties will join forces with us for this campaign. Again, we will be unaffiliated… fielding write-in candidates.

We will be working virtually with a zero budget, intending to make an unprecedented point about what can be done without money in or outside of the electoral arena. As per http://oxtogrind.org/archive/364.

The most defining feature of TOSCA, however, will be our advocacy of Michael Albert’s PARECON (Participatory Economics) as per http://www.zmag.org/znet/topics/parecon, and so… we will call our unregistered “party” The Parecon Plus Party. Plus referring to everything which impacts on our lives outside of economics; Parsoc (Participatory Society) as per http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/topics/parsoc touches on a great deal of that.

This is a party no one should miss. Whether or not you reside in California, you can potentially serve in our coalition in some capacity. Certainly, you can provide feedback at this juncture… putting in your two cents respecting candidates (2) and issues. And speaking of two cents, we will consider the whole PPP adventure a success if we simply increase the number of Z Sustainers and Subscriptions.

Footnotes:

(1) The potential for electoral fraud virtually guarantees that no “third party” candidate can win the gubernatorial election. However, whether we lose legitimately or not… if we garner more votes than just one of the major parties, or simply more votes than all of the other marginalized parties put together (ever secured in history) — working on a zero budget — we will gain an unprecedented spotlight, and (I trust) ignite something among the citizenry which will encourage the public to self-educate and act in unexpected ways. Worst case scenario, maybe we can triple or quadruple the number of ZNet’s/ZMag’s supporters.

(2) Wallace J. Nichols (http://www.wallacejnichols.org/wallacejnichols/About_J..html) is one example of someone who’s agreed to serve in our coalition. Feel free to comment.

Richard can be reached at tosca.2010@yahoo.com. Following initial email contact, it might be possible to discuss questions, etc. on the phone, if you like. Some of Richard’s background is at http://oxtogrind.org/archive/378.