A political party should not take itself too seriously. It should recognize that political parties are an interest group staffed by volunteers. Members have ample opportunity to engage in other kinds of activities if they choose. If political work becomes too boring, people will drop it in favor of other work (or play) offering greater satisfaction. Time is precious. It should not be wasted by pretentious bores who want others to do unpaid work for them.

What should Gold Party advocate? A better question to ask might be: What should it do? Most political parties hold official meetings where they elect party officers, adopt party rules, nominate candidates for elective office, and pass resolutions. The members are asked to spend many hours in discussions governed by Robert’s Rules of Order. This is a turn-off from a personal point of view. Unless someone believes that these discussions will lead to important changes in government policy, they are largely a waste of time.

So what should be done? Political power begins in talking with individual voters. Therefore, let us communicate. The party should organize meetings where voters discuss issues of the day. Such meetings may take the form of debates followed by open discussion; or, they may feature speakers who set the stage for discussions that follow; or, the meetings may simply consist of open discussion. But instead of the question & answer format, audience members should be allowed to make personal statements. They, not elected officials, are the experts.

Therefore, Gold Party should become a meeting-hosting organization. The more meetings it holds, the more its image gets out as a party that puts people first. With respect to brand name, the Gold Party should be a party that practices free speech. Anyone can say anything at these meetings and be respectfully heard. But an occasional injection of expert opinion would also be a good thing.

Recognize, too, that a political party can be more than an organization that puts up candidates for public office and works to get them elected. Direct action is also political work. Often you do not need to persuade someone else to support change; you can make the change yourself. You can change your own corner of the world. You can set an example that others may choose to follow. You can articulate issues, picket and protest, or praise someone doing what is right. You can say what is on your mind, standing up for something when others are too frightened to do the same. Such change is generally more important than what can be accomplished through legislation.

A political party is also a community of people. It is a place to make friends. It is a way to support the projects of others and have one’s own pet projects supported or, at least, discussed. We need to be with other people, assembled in a common purpose.

All political parties have their own special constituencies. The Republicans have business groups, Christian evangelicals, talk radio, and Fox News. The Democrats have organized labor, trial lawyers, Hollywood stars, academia, black voters, feminist women, gays & lesbians, immigrant groups, and the remaining television networks. The Greens have environmentalists and Ralph Nader. What of Gold Party?

Let's consider cultivating a new constituency: artists, musicians, entertainers, participants in amateur or professional sports, or anyone who considers himself or herself to be personally creative. They are the future. Let individuals with various creative aspirations join our party. Invite them to help design our party’s events. Let them perform at meetings. Let them create an experience which combines a serious political message with comedy, food, dress, music or the visual arts.

Gold Party should sponsor artistic competitions. Give recognition to artists who have helped the party. It should try to develop a distinctive “Gold Party lifestyle”. Create an environment that is personally stimulating and interesting to people, where they have a sense of something new.

Public meetings are important. It’s good to be with groups of people who can touch the larger community. It’s also good to amplify the image of what one is doing at these meetings to unseen communities through free-circulation newspapers, cable-television shows, Internet chat rooms, POD casts, low-watt and community radio, or whatever media are available. We need to be active participants in this political culture, not passive recipients of one-way messages directed at us.

We can, of course, have a good time while we are creating a better society. We can create memorable life experiences. Gold is a fine metal to wear in a necklace, bracelet, or ring. Don’t be afraid to flash your gold jewelry, if you own any, in public. Make a political as well as a personal statement. We are in the process of creation.

It would be wonderful if Gold Party members wore bright clothing to the meetings. We should tolerate, even welcome, persons with pierced body parts, oddly dyed hair, beards, and tatoos projecting their individual identities. Crazy characters are OK so long as they do not force themselves unreasonably on others. We would not be a creative party if no eccentric persons were in our midst.

It would be great if Gold Party participants expressed insightful and interesting thoughts; better still, if these thoughts resonated with what other people said. But, remember, we are still a small party. There is no room yet for ideological schisms. Let’s not waste our time polishing party platforms and recruiting candidates if there is no reasonable chance they can win.

Some day, if all goes well, our day will come. In an event long remembered, Gold Party will take over the government. We will carry out an historic program of change. Then, inevitably, rot will set in. We will become like all the other political groups corrupted by power. In the meanwhile, let’s enjoy the springtime of our venture and our dream. It is the best time; and that time is now.

Click for a translation into:

French - Spanish - German - Portuguese - Italian