Imagining the Middle: Can a Third Party Improve Decision-Making?

 Let us consider a third option from a philosophical standpoint. Imagine a hypothetical “Feather Party”—a party that does not currently exist and is best understood as a mental exercise rather than a proposal. The idea is whether a third party, loosely aligned with independent voters, could increase the number of elected officials who do not lean strongly to the right or left, but instead operate closer to the middle. The central question is whether such a party would meaningfully improve decision-making or simply result in wasted votes? It is ok.....argue, counter argue, keep, discard, etc.....or even choose not to think about it at all. But.....

A picture representing
voting what you believe
by your own values.
The feather represents
independent voters 
and their presence.
Illustrative.

If you look at today’s political landscape, many debates are framed as direct opposites. Yet opposing arguments do not always produce the best outcomes. It also can impact the how policies influence institutions or choices on where and how resources are spent. This is not an argument for or against any existing party, but rather for the potential influence of an independent voting bloc—one large enough to tip decisions in either direction and potentially introduce more balance into the process that helps further democratic purpose. In this framework, loyalty to a party label becomes less important than alignment with principles and practical outcomes (You join the party for its decision making matrix and its core universal values.). A party designed to minimize special interest and focus more on understanding what everyday people want. 

I’m not an expert on political parties, so this is meant as an open discussion (I just like to mentally mull ideas.). Some may dismiss the idea outright, labeling it impractical or ineffective—and that’s fine. Ideas can be tested, noted, and discarded if they don’t hold up. This is just a mental exercise and often they are intended to not be perfect so you have to do your own work in thinking (vs. letting others think for you.) Some might argue that the concept makes sense, especially for those who want greater focus on the middle class and the needs of everyday people, without having those concerns overly filtered through movers and shakers. A lean party that offers general guidance to independent voters and independent officials could, in theory, have a positive impact (or not 🤔).

(Sorry, the goal is to encourage one to think about it but not necessarily come to a conclusion unless that is their conclusion.)

There are also clear drawbacks to consider. A third party could split votes from the two major parties, or a group holding, say, 15% of the vote could wield disproportionate influence by tipping policy outcomes. That influence would likely be centered on what the party believes reflects middle-class priorities, shared values, and the needs of the next generation (Assuming they know so they would need a way of processing general sentiment). Political arguments are rarely all-or-nothing, so such a party would need to allow for variation while maintaining general alignment around core principles.

Ultimately, this idea may be good or bad—and reasonable people can disagree. It is a debate and a discussion, not a conclusion. The point is not to declare a definitive answer, but to explore whether it would help in ensuring that the average person’s voice is more fully represented. There is no single “right” conclusion here. The concept of an independent voting bloc introduces both meaningful possibilities and legitimate concerns. In the end, it’s up to each individual to weigh those factors and form their own opinion. No difference if one is for or against. 

A few things I saw below during a quick search. It actually doesn't seem that hard. Legal experts and philosophers each have their own challenges. One compromises the big picture for the details and the other compromises the details for the big picture. Where philosophy and practicality meet you might have a good idea....or maybe not. 😶 Either way vote your conscious.

FEC Party

Political Party Forms