Liberalism to New Labour Part two

the party system in Great Britain and it's evolution from the days of Tories and the Liberals, to New Labour and Coalition governments. The purpose of beginning our story with the departure of Brown and the birth of the Conservative Coalition is to prove a major political point. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) The difference between politics and policy and the fact that politics does not exist in a vacuum. The whole reason way Brown was not named Party leader in 1994, was because he was not a reform minded Labour Leader. He was more of a socialist in his thinking than Tony Blair. Blair was able to modernize the party and lead it to victory in much the same way as President Clinton had done before him. But like both Blair and Clinton, they were able to move the people toward a central view of government but not their respective parties. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) Brown was prime minister of a party and a nation left exhausted by their former leader's short comings but hopeful due to his grand designs and achievements. But, Brown was still the man he was in 1994. He had not reformed, he was not part of a new Labour mentality, and it showed. He did not realize that his own views were left in a vacuum, while the world continued to move without him. He had become a failed double treaded, a leader far past his "use by" date. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011).
  In terms of the difference between Policy and Politics, there was in this case as there always is a victor and a loser. Brown was the loser because will he was the better administrator; he was not the better Prime Minister to David Cameron. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) He and with him Labour, was not willing to move or change their policy to allow the Liberal Democrats to join them in a Coalition. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) Cameron on the other hand has provided after over two years in the role to be a Prime Minister of amazing skill but without a core. He is not a traditional Prime Minister in the same way he is not a traditional Conservative.(Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) Sure he will for political goals label himself as such, but when it comes to getting his hands dirty, his political soul mate is Barack Obama. While Obama has a great passion for policy in much the same vain as Brown, and does have a strong core and series of convections, he is also at his heart a man of compromise. Cameron was able to move mountains with his party in order to form his Coalition government. (Parties and Election in Europe). It is this political flexibility that has evolved in the parties of Great Britain and it is the main reason why Brown was forced to resign two years ago. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011)
  Originally the two major parties in England were the Tories or Conservatives and the Whigs. The Whigs were the supporters of unions and the working class. There ideals can be traced back all the way to the English Civil War.(Liberal Democrat History Group).  They were generally seen as having soft support for the monarchy. In fact there was a few times were the Whigs and then the Liberals would win the majority, but the monarchy would still select a Conservative Prime Minister. (Liberal Democrat History Group). Before long the Whigs would reform there party and become known as the Liberal Democrats. Under Gladstone the liberals would come to power several times and with parliamentary reforms being introduced and then passed, enfranchisement was extended to all citizens. (Liberal Democrat History Group). This would open the flood gates for public involvement in government and would also dramatically affect how party politicals was conducted throughout the two major parties. It would also lead to the creation of several other smaller organizations and political parties. One of these to be created in the aftermath of these many different reforms was the Labour party. (Liberal Democrat History Group).
  The conservative party has it's origins in the upper class, with many member of its ranks in parliament retiring into the lordship. (Seldon, 1999) They have seen the start of public politics in the United Kingdom, been seen to represent the interests of the upper classes and private industry. To say that those in the modern Conservative party support the rights of private property owners, may not seem extreme now. (Seldon, 1999) But, back in the late 1800's and early 1900's, it had a very different meaning attached to it. It was the stated goal of the upper classes to enforce the weakening powers of the lords of the land, (Seldon, 1999) to keep those in the working poor in their place and to deny them social independent. Whenever there was a constitutional crisis in England, it was over the power struggle between the Lords and the common man. In time it did get a bit easier of course. (Seldon, 1999)  Toward the early 1900's members of the conservative party were becoming more common in origin and soon were starting to think closer with their liberal counterparts. (Seldon, 1999)  Then when a constitutional crisis did take place it would be over the house of commons passing a bill and the house of lords blocking it from passage. In the end, the king would have to get involved.
  The conservatives and the Liberals would trade majorities in their own periods of alternating predominance for the next several decades. (Seldon, 1999) But, following the Ministership of Lloyd George, there would never again be a Liberal at number ten. In the 1920's you begin to see both the Labour party and the Conservative party combining their efforts to defeat the liberals. (Seldon, 1999) You see the Liberals going from a period of total majority to long districts long thought safe. Similar to when in the presidential elections of the 1920's, when the Democratic party would lose southern and beltway states.(Seldon, 1999)  Liberals did not survive their political wilderness and refused to change either their perspective or ideals. The Labours would gain the support of the working classes and would begin to demand more relief to the poorest elements of their constituents. (Seldon, 1999) In time it would have profound results. It would lead to the first Labour majorities and it would preserve the government of Great Britain against the more radical political forces of the time period. (Seldon, 1999)
Following the coalition national government that took place during the Second World War, the Labour party won a massive majority. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) Yet, it would prove to be its last for some time. It would take another few general elections for a Labour Prime Minister to come to power, (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) yet, every time they would prove slowly unpopular to voters and ineffective. Advocating old style socialism and popular Labour social views seemed to only block them off of electoral rewards. The conservatives would gain long periods of time in the majority. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) Through the Ministership of Thatcher and Major, the Labour party was trapped in the minority. This would be known as their winter of discontent. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) At the same time, there were two stars within the Labour party that were beginning to do great things within the shadow government. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were the leading voices of loyal opposition. The years of Thatcherism was seen as intensely partisan and was very divisive on the people of Great Britain.
  Following the shocking Conservative victory of the 1992 general election, a major political overhaul was called for within the Labour party. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) Yet, the party elders did not wish it, they felt it was important to seem constant in nature and in ideals. It is important to note that Brown was himself a fan of what Clinton was doing to the US Democratic Party, but he was still very passionate about the traditional socialist promotion and defend of unions and workers. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) But Blair was already starting to promote a third way of politics, one that stays to the center, that is compassionate towards the people's problems, but is also tough of the causes of these problems. New Labour would lead Tony Blair to the leadership of the Labour party and would three years later give him a supreme majority. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) The 1997 general election would give Labour its first majority in since the 1970's and would change the political landscape of Great Britain. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) It also saw a major shift in the ideologically beliefs of the Labour Party. While during its own years in the minority during 1997 to 2010, the Conservatives began to portray themselves as more compassionate to the needs of the common man, that this Conservative party was not Thatcher's Conservative government. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011)
  At the same time a party founded in the late 1980's was starting to gain some visible support. (Whiteley, 2011) This party was a result of a merger between the social democrats and the remaining liberals. The Liberal Democrats were soon going to fill the void for those that were beginning to see new labour as too moderate or conservative. (Whiteley, 2011) They were free market liberals and they were social liberals. (Whiteley, 2011) They were impressive grassroots organizations and were closing in on the conservative minority in parliament in terms of seats. In 1997 they had 16 percent of the seating, by the 2010 election it was nearly 25 percent. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011. It will be at least another two general elections before the Liberals can have enough support to gain a majority. But, at the present that seems to be were the nation is headed. After decades of partisan Conservatives and Moderate Labour that proves itself to be polarizing in the majority. The nation is sitting its sights on another course of ideals to move the nation forward. The momentum is clearly on the side of the Liberal Democrats. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011)

Liberalism to New Labour

From Liberalism to New Labour:
The party evolution of Great Britain
Robert Buccellato



It has become a very common sight in Great Britain, the image of a tired and beaten Prime Minister saying farewell. (Seldon, 1999). Handing over the keys to government to a rival at the polar end of the political spectrum. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the head of the Labour party and the appointed leader of the parliamentary democracy of Great Britain had been defeated. It was a troubled term of office, being in the summer of 2007 after Tony Blair resigned the post after ten years and three general election victories. (Parties and Elections in Europe). It is a pattern for the newly elected prime minister to choice a retirement date that is far off from the following general election. This way the party may pick it's own leader and thus have a better chance of collectively supporting an electable new prime minister for the future. This was not the case, and it became very clear that Brown proved to be a very polarizing figure. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011).
  The Labour party could have been the majority party for a generation, had it not been for their support of the Iraq War. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011). It had suffered reduced majority in the election of the early 2000's and now with Brown's premiership, it seemed very likely that 2010 would be a conservative year. Indeed it was, only not enough. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011). When the election results came in it seemed that the people were bitterly divided over who should govern. Labour had won a majority of seats, but it was not big enough majority to request the forming of a government. The conservatives had robbed Labour of it's status, while not proving itself as the people's clear choice.  After some brief failed talks, it  came time for the Brown to step down and make way for a possible coalition government. Labour leaders tried to form a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, but it proved too difficult. The conservatives were desperate to take control and were offering the liberals much more than Labour was willing to match. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011).
  The Conservative leader David Cameron would form a new government with Liberal Democrat Leader Crigg as the deputy Prime Minister. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011). Brown made the usual speech outside Number 10 Downing Street that all defeated Prime Ministers make as the offer the victor there support and best wishes. Only unlike the US President who has 80 days to continue to lead the nation into the new year and work with his successor during a long transition process. The English Prime Minister is not allowed to live at 10 Downing Street (the official home of the Prime Minister) in the weeks leading up to the General Election and is ordered to live both the home and the office that very day. So a sad Brown left that office and the place he had trained his mind, body, and spirit for, was now part of his past.
  This paper is about both the party system in Great Britain and it's evolution from the days of Tories and the Liberals, to New Labour and Coalition governments. The purpose of beginning our story with the departure of Brown and the birth of the Conservative Coalition is to prove a major political point. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) The difference between politics and policy and the fact that politics does not exist in a vacuum. The whole reason way Brown was not named Party leader in 1994, was because he was not a reform minded Labour Leader. He was more of a socialist in his thinking than Tony Blair. Blair was able to modernize the party and lead it to victory in much the same way as President Clinton had done before him. But like both Blair and Clinton, they were able to move the people toward a central view of government but not their respective parties. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011) Brown was prime minister of a party and a nation left exhausted by their former leader's short comings but hopeful due to his grand designs and achievements. But, Brown was still the man he was in 1994. He had not reformed, he was not part of a new Labour mentality, and it showed. He did not realize that his own views were left in a vacuum, while the world continued to move without him. He had become a failed double treaded, a leader far past his "use by" date. (Gallagner,Lavar,Mair, 2011).

President Obama Make Election day a national Holiday!!!!

A new social media campaign is being started by Voting Rights Activists encourage Obama to Declare Election Day 2016 a Federal Holiday. I know I know!!! The Republicans will hate it, what will they ever like, maybe A federal holiday for Old Ron 40 Reagan !!!

However since all the new voter id laws, such an action would liberate millions of voters that are currently struggling to get to the polls. The pattern of Presidential elections is such that over 55 percent are now participating. But, that number could be closer to 60 or 70 percent with a national holiday. Plus it could actually result in a more balanced future approach to congressional and lower ticket races.
Anyway heres the link and I hope the five people that read this will sign the petition

.http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/voting-rights-activists-launch-campaign-pressure-obama-declare-election-day-2016

Make Congress Bigger and Cheaper

The title may seem like a joke, and I suppose it is a bit pie in the sky to think that the work "cheap" would ever be included with the word "congress." But, the growing level of partisanship and gridlock could all be resolved if the nation's congressional districts were smaller in size. As it stands right now the average congressional district has one representative serving the needs of over 600,000 citizens. If you look at the few combative districts like the Florida Second, the representative has to spend their miserably short two year term during two main tasks. Raising a disgusting amount of money and turning themselves into some kind of bipolar freak show as they attempt to appease everyone in their district. The sad fact is that hardly anyone is accurately represented now of days.

In 1911, Congress passed the Apportionment Act of 1911, also known as 'Public Law 62-5', which capped the size of the United States House of Representatives at 435 seats. During the next reapportionment, the size of the House was again limited to 435 seats, with the seats divided among the states by population, with each state getting at least one seat. Yet, now the congress has gotten to the point that the average member of Congress can't possibly improve the lives of those they serve. Heck they really can't do anything but raise money for re-election.

Congress is vastly more conservative, white, male, and older than the average american. To make matters worse America is the only advanced nation on earth that has such a complete lack of representative. In India the Parliament is over seven hundred members strong, even with a voting public of several million, they are still more diversely compatible to the needs of the voting public than we are. The UK elections are also very telling, the average amount of political parties that hold seats in the chamber is usually five or six major or minor parties. This requires the majority to be far more moderate than their members would prefer and the minority has to be far more innovative.

Plus the members of Congress are paid far too much, over five times the median income in the country.  Both issues (congressional districts and income) are difficult to solve, yet not impossible.
State Conventions would solve the issues and both national party conventions could promote it next year as they are nominating their presidential candidates.

Solution? Pass the The Wyoming Rule. A Proposal that would add over one hundred members of congress and create eight new congressional districts in Florida instantly. But, to those of you who think such an idea is too revolutionary, I have something for you to think about. In his only speech as President of the Constitutional Convention, George Washington pleaded for the adoption of the First Article of the Bill of Rights. This Article deemed that no congressional seat should exceed thirty thousand citizens. So who can really argue with the father of our nation? By the way since Congress did not set a time limit for its ratification, the Congressional Apportionment Amendment is still technically pending before the states. Ratification by an additional 27 states is necessary for this amendment to be adopted. So come on Florida House! Talk about pie in the sky.

Jimmy Carter in Plains book review by Max J. Skidmore

Visual representations of politics in America are too often ephemeral,
taking the form of campaign literature that quickly vanishes, or news
reports that do not last beyond the headlines. Robert Buccellato, in what
obviously was a labor of love, has produced something different. His
presentation in pictures of the political life of President Carter before
and during his presidency should be welcomed by general readers who are
interested American presidents. Perhaps more important, these pictures
offer unique insights, making this book a contribution to American Studies
and to presidential history.

Max J. Skidmore
Author of After the White House: Former Presidents as Private Citizens

Jimmy Carter in Plains New Book Cover

I love this new cover for the book  which is available for pre order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Books a Million

Jimmy Carter in Plains Book Endorsement by Kevin Mattson

I am very honored to present the book endorsement made by author Kevin Mattson, the author of several exceptional books including "What the heck are you up to Mr President" and "Just Plain Dick."

"This marvelous little book shines light on the truly populist campaign that landed Jimmy Carter in the White House.  You can actually SEE the authentic and regular-guy style of Jimmy Carter at work.  The images of Carter's small-town background are especially compelling.  Political and historical junkies will find this book a great piece of entertainment that doesn't discount the moral and visionary heft that Jimmy Carter brought to Washington, D.C."

-Kevin Mattson, Author of "What the heck are you up to Mr President."

Radio interview on the Chris Hahn Show

Based out of New York, the Chris Hahn Radio show is one of the leading Progressive news programs in the nation.
Here is a link to the interview which starts at minute 52

http://christopherhahn.com/

Pre order Jimmy Carter In Plains The Presidential Hometown

You can know Pre-order the new Book Jimmy Carter In Plains The Presidential Hometown

Heres the link on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-Carter-Plains-Images-America/dp/146711541X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Robert%20Buccellato%22?Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ntx=mode%20matchall

and Books a Million

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Jimmy-Carter-Plains/Robert-Buccellato/9781467115414?id=6454813405753

Jimmy Carter in Plains Book Promo

A small video promo I made for the new book Jimmy Carter In Plains
out February 1st

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mdjo65xH2k

Plains Ga Train Depot

There is a historical pull to this place and it's become manifested in the tiny green and white painted train depot at the center of town. For myself, this humble structure has always held such romantic attachment. This was where Jimmy Carter pulled it off.  Where he, along with his neighbors and family staged the most improvable and captivating Presidential campaign in history, forever changing the political landscape of the nation and how we pick our presidential nominees.
The town's train depot was constructed in 1888 and was, for a time, the only building with a public bathroom. This was the primary reason for its selection as the hometown headquarters for the Carter Presidential campaign. It was the site of numerous hometown primary parties and was where candidate Carter would hold interviews whenever in town.  As the 1970s dawned, Plains remained largely unchanged. But, following his announcement for president, the entire landscape of the community began to change. The primary night parties would begin at the depot and quickly took on a church potluck atmosphere. There were said to have been rows of flatbed trucks everywhere and tiny campers.
Once you enter the depot, long devoid of frequent activity, a single video can be heard echoing throughout the building. It is a video that Charles Plant put together on the 1976 election. The images are old and the voices heard are those that use to fill the television screens in countless homes decades earlier. The nightly news anchors of the past; Cronkite, Harry Reasoner, and John Chancellor, can be heard.  The desired effect is easily achieved, transporting visitors back to a time when this depot was packed with locals and campaign workers and primary nights would turn into local vigils and tailgate festivals, as several TVs were installed to witness the results of so many past contests, when their favorite son was trying to achieve the impossible.
Two rocking chairs, used frequently by America's First Mother, Lillian Carter, can still be seen.  Today, a sign proudly and humorously recounts the fact that "Behind this closed door" is the reason why the depot was selected as the campaign headquarters. It was the location of the only available public bathroom in town. Today the bathroom is closed and visitors are prevented from entering this historic lavatory.
As the election of Jimmy Carter became a real possibility, both the candidate and his hometown started becoming big business. Carter's wide smile began showing up everywhere in town and souvenir makers had a field day turning the town into a household name nationwide. Some, like the N.G. Slater campaign buttons were of high quality, while others were simply made by an endless series of small entrepreneurs looking for an easy buck. Eventually, the massive level of outside guests began to die down. After the Carter Presidency entered the history books, the town and its famous son both shared in parallel struggles to acclimate themselves to life outside the national spotlight. Plains and Carter both took it upon themselves to help preserve the best elements of the 1976 election and its aftermath for posterity. It was not an easy task for them both. But, President Carter threw himself into the task of turning key structures of his hometown into a national park. With the aid of the residents and outside support, the former president succeeded beyond his wildest hopes.

Jimmy Carter In Plains Book Reviews

How do you capture a magical time in your life? This book of photographs and descriptions are evidence of Jimmy Carter's hometown and campaign for President of our USA.  Buccellato's book gives a true feeling of Plains, then and now.  People can experience the small town life and "down to earth" people who brought forth a awesome welcome to visitors then , now and forever.
-Betty Pope Member of the Carter Peanut Brigade


When I picked up Robert Buccellato's gloriously illustrated new book, Jimmy Carter in Plains: The Presidential Hometown, I fell in love with the town all over again....Get yourself a copy of Robert Buccellato's book.  It is a moving map to the heart of the town that made Jimmy Carter.  It is also a map to a place that will win your heart for good, and for the goodness that is Jimmy Carter's Plains.
-Grant Hayter-Menzies Author of "Lillian Carter : A Compassionate Life"


Visual representations of politics in America are too often ephemeral, taking the form of campaign literature that quickly vanishes, or news reports that do not last beyond the headlines. Robert Buccellato, in what obviously was a labor of love, has produced something different.
His presentation in pictures of the political life of President Carter before and during his presidency should be welcomed by general readers who are interested in American presidents.
- Max J. Skidmore Author of "After the White House: Former Presidents as Private Citizens"


"This marvelous little book shines light on the truly populist campaign that landed Jimmy Carter in the White House.  You can actually SEE the authentic and regular-guy style of Jimmy Carter at work.  The images of Carter's small-town background are especially compelling.  Political and historical junkies will find this book a great piece of entertainment that doesn't discount the moral and visionary heft that Jimmy Carter brought to Washington, D.C."
-Kevin Mattson, Author of "What the heck are you up to Mr President."