Articles Index
Comic Book Villians & the Left
About.com Guest Commentator Jack Kerwick takes a look at how left-wing ideologues dream up villains on the right that are better left to the comic books.
Prohibition Party
The Prohibition Party was founded in 1869 and bills itself as "America's Oldest Third Party." It's platform is based on an ultra-conservative Christian social agenda mixed with anti-drug, anti-alcohol and anti-communist positions.
Reform Party
The Reform Party was founded by Ross Perot during his run for President in 1992. Despite Perot’s excellent showing in the 1992 election, the Reform Party waned until 1998, when Jesse Ventura secured the nomination for Governor of Minnesota and won. It was the highest office ever attained by a third party in the since the beginning of the twentieth century.
Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party is by far the largest conservative Third Party in America and has been except for momentary periods in the 1990s when Ross Perot and Patrick Buchanan ran as independents. Libertarians believe in the American heritage of liberty, enterprise, and personal responsibility.
Jefferson Republican Party
Although the JRP doesn’t have an official platform, it is descended from the original Democratic-Republican party founded by James Madison in 1792 and later joined by Thomas Jefferson. The party eventually was disbanded into two factions in 1824. In 2006, the JRP was founded (party members would say “revived”), and it uses statements made by Jefferson in 1799 as the foundation of its principles.
Independent American Party
Founded in 1998, the IAP is a Protestant Christian theocratic political party. It initially existed in several Western states and is a remnant of former Alabama Gov. George Wallace's once-powerful American Independent Party.
Constitution Party
At its nominating convention n 1999, the US Taxpayers Party chose to change its name to the “Constitution Party.” Convention delegates believed the new name more closely reflected the party’s approach to enforcing the US Constitution’s provisions and limitations.
American Reform Party
The ARP split from the reform party in 1997, after some of the new party’s founders walked out of the Reform Party’s nomination convention, suspecting that Ross Perot had rigged the process. Although the ARP has a national platform, it does not have ballot access in any state and has failed to organize beyond the state level. Its primary role is to support other third party and independent candidates.
American Party
Formed after a break with the American Independent Party in 1972, the party’s best showing was a sixth place finish in the 1976 presidential election with 161,000 votes. The party has been virtually inconsequential since then.
American Independent Party
The AIP was established in 1968 by former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, who captured nearly 10 million votes during his presidential bid. The influence of the AIP has waned over the years, but its strong Christian conservative leanings enables it to still field local candidates. Its principles and its platform have Christianity as its foundation.
America First Party
The original America First Party was founded in 1944, but changed its name to the Christian Nationalist Crusade in 1947. In 2002, a new America First Party was formed by Pat Buchanan’s supporters, who expressed disgust over the way he was treated by the leadership of the declining Reform Party. While not overt, there are several references to faith and religion in the ideology of the America First Party.
Barack Obama is No Superman
A recent television ad run by the Barack Obama presidential campaign portrays the candidate as having the same core midwestern values as Superman. About.com guest writer Jack Kerwick analyzes this subtext and exposes it as pure mythology.
Barack Obama as "Race-Baiter"
About.com Guest Commentator Jack Kerwick, takes a look at the "race card" in presidential politics and how Barack Obama is using his race as a strategy to beat John McCain and win the general election.
The Patriotism of Barack Obama
About.com Guest Commentator Jack Kerwick takes a closer look at how Barack Obama's speech on patriotism in Independence, MO. jibes with the way his religious leaders have portrayed America in public speeches during the presidential camapaign.
A Profile of Jack Kerwick
A profile of Jack Kerwick, an adjunct professor of philosophy and an emerging conservative voice in the discussion of modern-day political ideology.
The Benefits of ANWR & the Case for Offshore Drilling in Alaska
An interview with Buck Wolf, About.com's Guide to Weird News, who visited Alaska in May and heard residents of America's largest state discuss why offshore drilling would be a welcome addition to the economy of "The Last Frontier."
Are You a Cultural Conservative?
A detailed description of what it means to be a "cultural conservative" how the movement started, why it started and who is responsible for its origins.
Are You a Crunchy Conservative?
A detailed description of what it means to be a "crunchy conservative," how the movement started, why it started and who is responsible for its origins.
Arizona Sen. John McCain's Second Amendment Platform
A closer look at John McCain's platform on the second amendment.
Conservatism's Patron Saint
About.com Guest Commentator Jack Kerwick takes a closer look at the father of the modern conservative movement and why his impact on conservatives is so powerful.
US Supreme Court Gives Second Amendment a Victory in Washington, DC Case
In a landmark gun control decision, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling overturning a District of Columbia law banning the possession of handguns. In its decision in the case of DC vs. Heller, the Court found that the 32-year-old handgun ban violated the Second Amendment’s guarantee of the right to keep and bear arms.
Arizona Sen. John McCain's Energy & Climate Change Platform
A closer look at John McCain's platform on energy and climate change.
Arizona Sen. John McCain's Education Platform
A closer look at John McCain's platform on education.
Arizona Sen. John McCain's Health Care Platform
A closer look at John McCain's campaign platform on health care.
Arizona Sen. John McCain's Economy Platform
A closer look at John McCain's platform on the economy.