"Progressives should not make the same mistake that Ernst Thälmann made in 1932. The leader of the German Communist Party, Thälmann saw mainstream liberals as his enemies, and so the center and left never joined forces against the Nazis. Thälmann famously said that ‘some Nazi trees must not be allowed to overshadow a forest’ of social democrats, whom he sneeringly called ‘social fascists.’

After Adolf Hitler gained power in 1933, Thälmann was arrested. He was shot on Hitler’s orders in Buchenwald concentration camp in 1944."

  • jordanlund@lemmy.worldOPM
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    3 months ago

    No third party has reached those thresholds in years.

    2020:

    1. Democratic - 51.31%
    2. Republican - 46.85%
    3. Libertarian - 1.18%

    2016:

    1. Republican - 46.09%
    2. Democratic - 48.18%
    3. Libertarian - 3.28%

    2012:

    1. Democratic - 51.06%
    2. Republican - 47.20%
    3. Libertarian - 0.99%

    2008:

    1. Democratic - 52.93%
    2. Republican - 45.65%
    3. Ralph Nader - 0.56%

    2004:

    1. Republican - 50.73%
    2. Democratic - 48.27%
    3. Ralph Nader - 0.38%

    2000:

    1. Republican - 47.86%
    2. Democratic - 48.38%
    3. Ralph Nader - 2.74%
    • bloodfart@lemmy.ml
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      3 months ago

      And before then?

      Even if the threshold for funding and ballot access isn’t met, voting third party helps get your party at events, tells the major parties how popular their platform is and builds support and awareness.

    • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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      3 months ago

      As we all know, time doesn’t pass and yesterday is today. Nothing ever happens for any reason. The world is exactly the same as it was decades ago.

      • jordanlund@lemmy.worldOPM
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        3 months ago

        Tell you what, I’ll put my money where my mouth is. I’ll personally donate $1,000 to any 3rd party that cracks 3% nationally in the upcoming election.

        • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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          3 months ago

          You don’t have to, that isn’t my point. My point is that countless quantitative changes over time result in qualitative ones. Society is wildly different as Capitalism continues to decay, and the 2 parties continue to move forward with that decay. There will be a turning point.