Many people challenge the notion that one can adopt a political stance of being fiscally conservative, yet at the same time socially liberal.   I say hogwash — unless, that is, you limit yourself to the standard linear, one-dimensional model that positions liberals to the left and conservatives to the right.  On this scale, it is actually quite easy to see why some feel that being fiscally conservative and socially position simply too much of a stretch to be comfortable.

That is why it is essential for us to change the model, promoting insteadthe two-dimensional, Transpartisan Matrix as a way of plotting out political positions. The Transpartisan Matrix considers not only which philosophies you embrace (conservative vs. liberal), but the means as to how government should achieve those outcomes; either by extending freedoms or enforcing order. In recent discussions, I have encountered many who believethat government oversteps its authority with increasing regularity, forcing it’s will upon the people with careless disregard (Tea Party).  Still others, seek increased freedom FROM government as a means for returning power to the people (Libertarians).  All are viable points of view and all actually have one or more political parties using one of these road maps.  That being said,I categorically reject any notion that says you cannot be both fiscally responsible and socially liberal, and achieve that balance through a system of efficient government that is neither overbearing or undisciplined.  This philosophy in practice can be described as, “Stay [unnecessarily] out of my wallet, but stay out of my bedroom too”.

Such a government could promote the progressive notions of fair taxation supporting superior infrastructure, as well as moderately conservative notions of fairly regulated free markets with punishments for those who would abuse them. It would support the equally shared humanistic notion of providing basic needs for all those who are willing to contribute back to society, while helping them gain the means to eventually become self-sufficient.  Finally, it would push all social issues (i.e. right to choose/life, equality in marriage, etc.) down to the state level, empowering local populations to determine local social norms, which in turn would cause safe havens for all [non-aggressive] social beliefs to form organically. We can do all this and more! But first, we must break the oligopoly formed by government, big business, and the 1%.

Big business (see Wall Street and other Fortune 100 corporations) and the 1% (see Koch, Soros) use their resources to purchase influence in Washington (see campaign financing powered by the Citizens United decision, lobbyists, junkets, etc.). In return, Washington makes it “legal” for them to operate monopolies, distribute wages disproportionately to top executives, seek cheaper labor markets in foreign lands, and just for kicks, hands them billions of tax payer dollars annually in subsidies and tax breaks paid for by the 99% from the general tax fund (see Robin Hood in reverse). So how do we tame the beast? We ignore conventional wisdom and agree that together, we “can beat city hall”.

No, we can’t realistically change how big businesses operate, or how the 1% spends (or doesn’t spend) its money; but we CAN take back Washington. See, it doesn’t matter how rich you are, you only have one vote; and that vote counts no more, no less than anyone else’s. If we, the 99% ban together we can vote out those in Washington who rig the game for big business and the 1%. We could change the tax code to force them to pay their FAIR share (not more, not less) in order to fund projects that restore not just hope, but the American Dream to all citizens willing to work hard for it. This is the primary objective of Party Recon; to offer a simple banner under which we can unite in order to take back what is rightfully ours. You will not find these planks in the Democratic or Republican platforms, nor any of their leaders espousing such goals because they are bought and paid for. And every day, they grant power to big business and the 1% to steel more power and hoard more resources. If left unchecked, they will continue down their path to wealth and power while the 99% slips ever farther behind. We are running out of time. We must act together, and we must act soon.

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