Justice Party (United States)
| Justice Party | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Chairman | Rocky Anderson |
| Founded | November 2011 |
| Ideology | Social democracy Social liberalism Environmentalism American progressivism Populism |
| Political position | Center-left |
| Colors | red, white, dark blue |
| Seats in the Senate |
0 / 100
|
| Seats in the House |
0 / 435
|
| Governorships |
0 / 50
|
| State Upper Houses |
0 / 1,921
|
| State Lower Houses |
0 / 5,410
|
| Website | |
| www.justicepartyusa.org | |
The Justice Party USA is a political party in the United States. It was first organized in November 2011 by former Mayor of Salt Lake City Rocky Anderson as an alternative to what he saw as a duopoly of the two major political parties. One of the major goals of the Justice Party is removing corporate influence and other concentrated wealth from politics.[1]
Contents |
History [edit]
In December 2011, it became a qualified party in Mississippi, the first state to recognize the party.[2] From a small beginning, 30 persons at the launching event with no TV crew covering it, the party has been able to put its founder, Rocky Anderson, on the ballot in 15 states and secure official write-in status in 15 additional states. It was the fifth largest third party in terms of presidential ballot access in the 2012 presidential election.[3] On 23 October 2012, Rocky Anderson, the Justice Party candidate faced off with other 3rd party candidates Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party, Jill Stein of the Green Party and Virgil Goode of the Constitution Party, for a debate moderated by former CNN talk-show host Larry King.[4] They met again to debate on 5 November 2012 this time hosted by Ralph Nader.[5]
Ideology and positions [edit]
The Justice Party was created with the motto “economic, environmental, and social justice for all”.[4] The party was designed with the intention of shifting government back to a focus on the Constitution by removing corporate influence in politics.[4]
Economic Justice [edit]
The Justice Party is for campaign finance reforms and does not accept corporate funding. It wants to abolish corporate personhood. The party is in favor of a financial transaction tax, pro-progressive tax structure and wants to end the Bush tax cuts. They support green jobs and infrastructure programs and a right to organize. The Justice party wants to bolster social security by raising the cap on payroll taxes. It wants to require that banks work with homeowners to stop foreclosures. It is pro-immigration reform, pro-breaking up large banks, pro-reinstating Glass-Steagall, pro-government funded higher education,and against subsidies to oil and gas companies.[6]
Environmental Justice [edit]
The party is for aggressive climate protection. They are against the enlarging of the Keystone Pipeline and advocate transition from fossil fuels. They want a ban on mountaintop removal mining and want to strengthen the power of the Environmental Protection Agency.[6]
Social Justice [edit]
The Justice Party supports a universal single payer health system by making Medicare available for everyone; marriage equality; ending wars of aggression; closing most overseas bases; reducing the military budget; immigration reform; repealing the Patriot Act, protecting and reward whistle-blowers and ending the war on drugs. The Party also wants to prosecute individuals whose illegal conduct led to the economic melt-down. They are supportive of an equal rights amendment for women.[6]
Candidates [edit]
In the United States elections, 2012, the party had candidates for the following offices:
- President of the United States - Rocky Anderson, former Mayor of Salt Lake City[1][7] 43,088 votes (0.03%)
- Vice President of the United States - Luis J. Rodriguez, activist and author from California.[8]
- U.S. Senator for Utah – Daniel Geery[9] 7,444 votes (0.81%)
- Utah's 4th congressional district – Torin Nelson[10] (withdrew)[11]
References [edit]
- ^ a b Romboy, Dennis "Rocky Anderson forms Justice Party, plans to run for president", Deseret News, November 30, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
- ^ Winger, Richard (December 29, 2011) "Justice Party qualifies for Mississippi ballot", Ballot Access News. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
- ^ Winger, Richard (October 1, 2012) "2012 Ballot Status for President" Ballot Access News. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ a b c "The 'other' presidential debate: Third-party candidates make their cases". The Christian Science Monitor.
- ^ "Nader's third-party debate raises alternate issues". USA Today.
- ^ a b c "Policy of the Justice Party". The Justice Party's website.
- ^ Canham, Matt "Rocky Anderson launches presidential campaign at sparse gathering", The Salt Lake Tribune, December 12, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
- ^ Gehrke, Robert (July 17, 2012). "Rocky picks activist-author as his VP running mate". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ^ http://danielgeery.com
- ^ http://torinnelsonforcongress.com/
- ^ "2012 Candidate Filings". Elections. Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office. 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
