Might I recommend the Communist Party? Or, you know, the Greens or something.

I'm a registered Independent. Voted for Obama -still proud and glad I did!

The two party system dominance, IMHO, does not enhance democracy or the democratic process. Staunch party politicos (seem to be majority) place their Repub/Dem affiliation above what's best and needed for country.

That said, I also assert that majority of people in each party also breakout into 'groups' and want to breakout when not whole entity marches in lockstep with their stances. They all hold the 'party' responsible, resorting to negative reaction instead of positive action.

There are many from all political affiliations do want to achieve the same goals, just cannot agree on the methods chosen to achieve them!

Political Parties, ironically, are comprised of the same element as our government - We, The People.

Since none of the other commenters apparently noticed the obvious benefits of Ellen's intelligent suggestion, and I'm not in a mood to explain anything to anybody, let me just say...

Look again, all ye who did not look carefully before! There are many obvious benefits!

The only real problem with Ellen's plan is that the Left is all chiefs and no Indians...

The Left is all cowboys and no cows, and...

Progressives and liberals couldn't even coordinate so much as a ham sandwich among themselves, much less the takeover of a major party.

Jeez Louise...isn't it just a tad early to be writing President Obama off?

He has been in office 8 months. How many Presidents have accomplished more than he has at this point in their presidency? And they weren't the beneficiaries of the worst economy since the Great Depression and 2 stinking lousy wars that almost literally no one wants to be fighting, and a country that is bound and determined to re-fight the Civil War, and 8 years of republican neglect.

I, personally plan on cutting him a lot slack before I start looking elsewhere. I'll tell you, we are really in an age of instant gratification...Last time I checked he is only one man and we didn't install a slate of elected officials that just rubber stamp everything he wants. If you want to be pissed at someone, be pissed at the "REPUBLICRATS" who are in it for power, money and sexual favors. Until we FORCE our representatives to start working for us instead of themselves and the lobbyists, you can vote for Mickey Mouse, or any party you'd like and nothing will change.

continued:

It's never been about the Republicans and cloture--that was a nonstarter from jump. it's about cover for the big squeeze.

I like to fancy Prez as a ""guerilla.

BTW, the timing is just right--as I recall the reconciliation instruction triggers on October 15.

Don't you love it when a plan comes together?

There is zero chance for progressives to take over the republican power structure. It just isn't going to happen. The nations finacial industry and our judicial branch is largely controlled by republican or conservative persons and they'll never let a liberal in the door. When it comes to selecting persons to hold positions in these areas the process is completely rigged and simply prohibits a democrat to be chosen. You will never see a liberal rise to power as the head of a major Wall Street company. Ever.

After watching all of those "teabaggers" at the Taxpayer March on Washington D.C. today, I would like to take this time to thank the Democratic party and President Obama. You have brought the Republican party back to life. See you in 2012, kids.

Ellen, when I read this post just now, I imagined this soft, sexy voice reading it aloud to me....and, believe it or not, but....that didn't help.

I couldn't swallow this.

Can you offer me help with my gag reflex?

Oh, and, um.....eye makeup tips, too.

Definitely, eye makeup tips.

Thanks.

xoxo.

You're forgetting one thing, if the US wanted Dennis Kucinich for President, they would have voted for him.

A yellow-dog that is ready to write off Pres. Obama in less than a year, in the most perilous time any president has ever faced; save Lincoln; is a yellow dog I can live without.

I don't want a homogenous party, and I'd hate to lose anyone who challenges and is a true progressive--(note;the progress part actually takes work)but-- If you leave now it just might save us from the distractions and fractures that eventually brought us Nixon and Raygun and George W--TWICE.

So no, I am not joining the Republican party, but I do think it's a great idea for you--and anybody else who may feel the same way. (I hope I don't sound too harsh, because I know it must be hard to get a grip when you are constantly handwringing.)

(Note to self--one more prog blog piling on Obama, one less directed at the 17 blue dog senators holding America's option hostage.)

This is sort of like saying that since somebody peed in the pool we'd all be better off going for a swim in the sewer. Thanks, but no.

There aren't enough liberal Democrats. There aren't ANY liberal Republicans.

I'm sorry, Ellen, but your priorities are just different than mine. Your focus is apparently on libertarian strain of thought on the Democratic side. And you correctly perceive that there are parallels to that strain of thought on the right, and that more of the defense of liberty might be transferable to the Republican Party.

But I'm a social democrat, a descendant of the socialist traditions, modified by democratic liberalism. My chief concerns are equality, democracy, strong communities, civic obligation, a prudent collective approach to common prosperity and the common good, and the rule of law. I tend to think that the left has been weakened over the years by an overemphasis on individual rights and individual liberties, and not enough emphasis on social solidarity, social economic cooperation, social commitments and social obligations. I believe in strong components of public investment and strategic economic planning at the government level, and in using law and government to distribute wealth more fairly and achieve egalitarian economic outcomes.

The Republicans will never possess a strong commitment to egalitarianism - and genuine democracy, which depends for its existence and survival on the maintenance of economic equality. Certainly the libertarian Ron Paulist fringe will never do it. They hate government, and love free enterprise. I consider them my opposition, not my potential allies. And I include all the other lovers of Ayn Rand, Murray Rothbard, Friedrich Hayak and Austrian Economics in the mix.

Republicans will never be willing to do what needs to be done to wrest power away from the private, corporate-run order, and put it in the hands of a truly sovereign, democratically elected government. When it comes right down to it, they hate obedience to government more than they hate subservience to private economic power. That means that over the long run they are, in effect, enemies of democracy, since having a strong democracy means that ordinary people need to band together to constitute a strong government. Weak government and democracy are ultimately at odds, because the absence of government just creates the space for the most aggressive, ruthless, intelligent and manipulative among us to build their own tyrannical economic empire. Only the solidarity of the many, aided by the coercive power of government, can keep the power of the domineering few in check.