American Solidarity Party

American Solidarity Party
Abbreviation ASP
Chairman Matthew Bartko
Founded 2011 (2011)
Ideology
Political position Center-right[1] to Center[2]
Colors Maroon
Seats in the Senate
0 / 100
Seats in the House
0 / 435
Governorships
0 / 50
State upper house seats
0 / 1,972
State lower house seats
0 / 5,411
Website
www.solidarity-party.org

The American Solidarity Party (ASP) is a Christian democratic political party in the United States.[3] Its motto is "Common Good, Common Ground, Common Sense."[4]

The political position of the American Solidarity Party is socially conservative[5][6] and economically distributist.[7] Therefore, the ASP holds to socially conservative views such as adhering to a pro-life position with regard to abortion, capital punishment and euthanasia,[8] as well as opposition to same-sex marriage and opposition to pornography. With regard to economics, labor issues and foreign policy, the American Solidarity Party sees the "moderate welfare state as the public expression of every citizen’s responsibility for his poor brother or sister."[3] As such, the American Solidarity Party notably opposes conscription, and favors "equal access to the polls, the courts, housing, education, and credit".[9] In addition, it supports "amnesty and a path to citizenship" for immigrants currently residing in the United States and "oppose[s] the militarization and fortification of our national borders".[9] With regard to healthcare, the ASP advocates the creation of a decentralized ‘single-payer’ system.[9][10] It supports the dignity of work, as well as stewardship for creation, advocating for "generous funding for research in safe and renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind-power."[9]

History

Early history

The ASP was founded by David Frost in 2011 as the "Christian Democratic Party USA". In 2012, the CDPUSA endorsed the independent candidacy of Joe Schriner for President.[11]

The name of the party was changed after the 2012 election to “the American Solidarity Party”, and a national committee was created for the purpose of drafting a platform and developing the party’s online presence. Kirk Morrison chaired the committee until late 2015. Stephen Beall, who drafted the original platform, became chair in 2016 and organized the party’s first online convention in July. He was succeeded by Matthew Bartko, who has presided over the creation of numerous state and local chapters.

2016 presidential election

ASP ballot status in 2016
  On ballot
  Write-in
  Not on ballot

During the 2016 presidential election season, the American Solidarity Party held an online convention on July 9, 2016, which nominated Amir Azarvan of Georgia for president and Mike Maturen of Michigan for vice-president.[12][13][14][15] However, Azarvan subsequently withdrew, and in response the ticket was revised, with Maturen running for president and Juan Muñoz of Texas running for vice-president.[7][16][12][10][15]

For the 2016 election, the American Solidarity Party was listed on the ballot in Colorado.[17] It was a certified write-in option in Alabama,[18] California,[19] Georgia,[20] Iowa,[18] Kansas,[21] Kentucky,[22] Maryland,[23] Michigan,[24] Minnesota, New Hampshire,[18] New Jersey,[18] Ohio,[25] Oregon,[18][26] Pennsylvania,[18] Rhode Island,[18] Texas,[27] Vermont,[18] and Washington.[28]

Ideology and influences

The American Solidarity Party is regarded as a minor third party in the United States.[29]

The American Solidarity Party has been characterized as conservative on social issues while supporting some government intervention in economic matters.[5] Its aim is to "seek to promote the common good and the material and spiritual welfare of all people, thereby raising consciousness of the Christian worldview."[10] The ASP's 2016 presidential nominee, Mike Maturen, has characterized the party as "centrist",[2] as has The Irish Times.[30]

The American Solidarity Party adheres to the ideology of Christian democracy,[31] which is historically influenced by Catholic Social Teaching and Neo-Calvinist theology.[32][33][31] As such, the ASP looks to the Christian Democratic movements in Europe and the Americas,[16] and to American religious populists such as Martin Luther King.[34] As the name indicates, the American Solidarity Party draws its inspiration from Solidarity (Polish Trade Union), founded by Lech Wałęsa in 1980. In addition, the ASP shares the socially conservative positions of the Dutch Anti-Revolutionary Party, founded by Abraham Kuyper in 1879.[35]

The core principle of the American Solidarity Party is the Consistent Life Ethic, understood as “respect for life and the dignity of all persons on all issues.”[36] Like other social conservatives, the ASP opposes abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research, but it differs from many of them by rejecting capital punishment and holding to Just War principles in foreign policy. It regards economic justice as an essential aspect of respect for human life. [37]

The American Solidarity Party also calls for fair labor practices and the strengthening of labor organizations, a wider distribution of wealth and productive property, the provision of decent health care to all members of society, responsible stewardship of the environment, and policies that strengthen the family and civil society.[36]

David McPherson of First Things says that the American Solidarity Party "affirm[s] ... the full spectrum of Catholic social teaching (namely, the teachings regarding the sanctity of human life, the common good, subsidiarity, religious freedom, solidarity, etc.)", contrasting the ASP to the Republican and Democratic parties, each of which recognize only some of these items.[7] Its strongest support is said to be in California and Texas.[16]

Composition

American Solidarity Party received its first surge in membership during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. The party's current base consists of younger (20s–30s) Christian voters (Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christians). It has members in 45 states, with its strongest support in California and Texas.[16]

Names and symbols

The party was founded in 2011 as the Christian Democratic Party USA. Shortly after the 2012 election, the CDP USA renamed itself the American Solidarity Party.[3]

The ASP mascot is the pelican, a traditional Christian symbol of charity.[15] The party’s color is maroon.

See also

References

  1. ↑ McPherson, David (29 July 2016), "The Politics of Solidarity: The Case for the American Solidarity Party", First Things, retrieved 29 July 2016, Founded in 2011, the American Solidarity Party (ASP) is the “only active Christian Democratic party in the United States,” though there are other such parties of long standing in Europe and Latin America. (Note: “Democratic” here does not mean “on the Left”; rather, these parties typically are seen as “Center-Right.”)
  2. 1 2 Longenecker, Dwight (25 August 2016), "This man says America's ready for a centrist Christian party", Crux, retrieved 26 August 2016, The ASP is a centrist party. Conservatives love our pro-life stance, and moderates/liberals like our fiscal ideas. Unfortunately, both major parties have veered to the extremes of left and right.
  3. 1 2 3 Longenecker, Dwight (12 May 2016). "Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?". Aleteia. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Longenecker, Dwight (12 May 2016). "Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?". Aleteia. Retrieved 4 July 2016. In 2011 the Christian Democratic Party USA was formed, and after the 2012 election it was re-named as the American Solidarity Party. Small political parties in the United States do not have a great track record, but given the choices available to Christians, the American Solidarity Party may offer a way to vote according to one’s conscience and according to their simple motto: Common Good. Common Ground. Common Sense.
  5. 1 2 Padusniak, Chase (Winter 2015), "Why You Should Vote Third Party", Intercollegiate Review, Intercollegiate Studies Institute, retrieved 21 July 2016, For the socially-conservative American who thinks government intervention has some place in the economy, the American Solidarity Party might fit.
  6. ↑ "An Interview with David Frost and Kirk Morrison". Christian Democracy Magazine. Retrieved 23 June 2016. There is a growing movement of people who adhere to Catholic Social Teaching and, because of that, find that they cannot find a home with either of the two major political parties in the United States. Their answer has been to form a political party based on Christian democratic principles. The name they have chosen is American Solidarity Party. ... Kirk, you have an article that will go into the first issue of Christian Democracy along with this interview. Christian democracy has been described as conservative on social issues and liberal on economic issues.
  7. 1 2 3 McPherson, David (29 July 2016), "The Politics of Solidarity: The Case for the American Solidarity Party", First Things, retrieved 29 July 2016
  8. ↑ Ferry, Stephen S. (21 September 2016), "The American Solidarity Party is unequivocally pro-life", Crux, retrieved 22 September 2016
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Complete Platform". American Solidarity Party (ASP). Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 "Magic Mike: 2016 voter angst brings attention to American Solidarity Party". Aleteia. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  11. ↑ Wood, Elizabeth (2012). "Christian Democratic Party- USA endorses Joe Schriner for President". Joe Schriner. Retrieved 3 August 2016. Roanoke, VA –independent presidential candidate “Average” Joe Schriner was proudly endorsed by the Christian Democrats (CDP-USA).
  12. 1 2 "Here's the (revised) ticket - American Solidarity Party in 2016", A Follower of Francis blog, 13 July 2016, retrieved 6 August 2016
  13. ↑ "Interview with Amir Azarvan", The Conservative Alternative blog, 14 July 2016, retrieved 6 August 2016
  14. ↑ "Interview with Mike Maturen", The Conservative Alternative blog, 14 July 2016, retrieved 6 August 2016
  15. 1 2 3 Longenecker, Dwight (25 August 2016), "This man says America's ready for a centrist Christian party", Crux, retrieved 26 August 2016
  16. 1 2 3 4 Rieping, John (6 August 2016), "New party boosted by election frustrations", The Madera Tribune, Madera, California, retrieved 6 August 2016
  17. ↑ "2016 General Election Candidate List". Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Ballot access for presidential candidates". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  19. ↑ "California, your official presidential write-in options include Bernie Sanders and Evan McMullin" from the LA Times
  20. ↑ "Georgia 2016 General Election". The Green Papers. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  21. ↑ Office of the Kansas Secretary of State
  22. ↑ "Election Candidate Filings - President of the United States". Kentucky.gov. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  23. ↑ "2016 Candidate Listing". Maryland.gov. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  24. ↑ "Michigan 2016 General Election". The Green Papers. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
  25. ↑ http://www.co.greene.oh.us/DocumentCenter/View/8999
  26. ↑ "Election Law Summary" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Elections Division. p. 14. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
  27. ↑ "Fighting to get on the presidential ballot in Texas". The Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  28. ↑ "Official List of Write-In Candidates for the 2016 General Election" (PDF). Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
  29. ↑ Olmstead, Gracy (4 August 2016). "Is There a Good Argument for Trump?". The American Conservative. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  30. ↑ O'Brien, Breda (17 September 2016), "US struggles to find an honest candidate for president", The Irish Times, retrieved 21 September 2016
  31. 1 2 Black, Susannah (15 August 2016). "Mr. Maturen Goes to Washington". Front Porch Republic. Retrieved 16 August 2016. What’s next may be hinted at by a 51 year old devout Catholic, businessman, and semi-professional magician named Mike Maturen, who recently accepted the presidential nomination of the American Solidarity Party, the only active Christian Democratic party in the nation. ...Christian Democratic parties began popping up in Europe in the late 19th century after Pope Leo XIII issued the encyclicals Immortale Dei and Rerum Novarum (1885 and 1891 respectively.) In rejecting both unrestricted capitalism and socialism, while affirming aspects of political democracy, the Pope opened up the possibility for an approach to the modern economy and state that was both distinctly Catholic and yet not committed to a return to an imagined (or real) pre-French Revolutionary ancien regime. But the Christian Democratic movement was not exclusively a Catholic phenomenon – neo-Calvinists such as Abraham Kuyper promoted Reformed versions of such parties as well.
  32. ↑ Monsma, Stephen V. (2012). Pluralism and Freedom: Faith-based Organizations in a Democractic Society. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 13. ISBN 9781442214309. This is the Christian Democratic tradition and the structural pluralist concepts that underlie it. The Roman Catholic social teaching of subsidiarity and its related concepts, as well as the parallel neo-Calvinist concept of sphere sovereignty, play major roles in structural pluralist thought.
  33. ↑ Witte, John (1993). Christianity and Democracy in Global Context. Westview Press. p. 9. ISBN 9780813318431.
  34. ↑ "ASP Statement of Purpose"
  35. ↑ Dillon, Kyle (22 August 2016). "The American Solidarity Party: Would Kuyper Vote for Them?". Allkirk Network. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  36. 1 2 "American Solidarity Party Statement of Purpose.doc". facebook.com.
  37. ↑ "ASP Consistent Life Ethic Platform.doc". facebook.com.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/12/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.