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Self-styled "progressives" desperate to stem the rising tide of Republican victory can learn a lesson from the Vermont Progressive Party: leave the Democrats, organize and win elections. On November 2, the party doubled its members in the Vermont legislature, from three to six members.
Three of the newly-elected legislators won in rural, traditionally Republican districts. They talked about universal health care, higher wages, unemployment and the price of milk for farmers. Workers and small farmers ignored Republican anti-abortion and gay-bashing rants when presented with a real program to meet human needs.
At their convention in Montpelier on December 4, Vermont Progressives mapped out the issues to be promoted by their newly-elected representatives. They are working for legislation to set up a state dairy processing plant and a Vermont single-payer health system, They also amended the party's platform to call for an end to the idea of "corporate personhood" and stripping corporations of the rights that were intended only for people.
Now a recognized force in Vermont politics, the Progressives serve as an example of how to build an independent working-class party. Chris Pearson, executive director of the party, states in the Winter issue of Independent Politics News:
"We take votes from Republicans, Independent and Democratic voters. It's how we win. Too bad the Democratic Party will never realize this, leaving activists the difficult task of building a viable alternative. This is the only path toward a government that works for the people and is run by the people."
-- Marsha Feinland
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