Greens, Libertarians, redefining the middle and transcending the left-right divide

In 2008 Ralph Nader got together with Ron Paul, Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney and Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin to express support for four key principles that the American people can use to transcend the left right divide. By focusing on common ground and common sense solutions perhaps we can change the tone of our political discourse.

Here are four positions where many conservatives and liberals can agree and transncend the left-right divide.

1) Foreign Policy: The Iraq War must end as quickly as possible with removal of all our soldiers from the region. We must initiate the return of our soldiers from around the world, including Korea, Japan, Europe and the entire Middle East. We must cease the war propaganda, threats of a blockade and plans for attacks on Iran, nor should we re-ignite the cold war with Russia over Georgia. We must be willing to talk to all countries and offer friendship and trade and travel to all who are willing. We must take off the table the threat of a nuclear first strike against all nations.

2) Privacy: We must protect the privacy and civil liberties of all persons under US jurisdiction. We must repeal or radically change the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, and the FISA legislation. We must reject the notion and practice of torture, eliminations of habeas corpus, secret tribunals, and secret prisons. We must deny immunity for corporations that spy willingly on the people for the benefit of the government. We must reject the unitary presidency, the illegal use of signing statements and excessive use of executive orders.

3) National Debt: We believe that there should be no increase in the national debt. The burden of debt placed on the next generation is unjust and already threatening our economy and the value of our dollar. We must pay our bills as we go along and not unfairly place this burden on a future generation.

4) The Federal Reserve: We seek a thorough investigation, evaluation and audit of the Federal Reserve System and its cozy relationships with the banking, corporate, and other financial institutions. The arbitrary power to create money and credit out of thin air behind closed doors for the benefit of commercial interests must be ended. There should be no taxpayer bailouts of corporations and no corporate subsidies. Corporations should be aggressively prosecuted for their crimes and frauds.

And there are more issues that some conservatives and liberals can agree. For instance both parties have continued to support the failed War on Drugs. It has wasted valuable resources in terms of law enforcement it has ruined lives with harsh penalties for non-violent drug offenders.

Liberals like Raplh Nader's running mate Matt Gonzalez and conservatives like Ron Paul are still advocating for these changes. For those looking to build bridges this looks like a good model and some important issues that need to be addressed.