Rumours!

[Јas]

Forgive me if I choose not to read all near 20 pages of posts before responding, but:

The PCP I can understand taking this step politically. Regardless of whether a JCP or LNF member is elected they would face a similar left leaning vote, and the LNF would not be able to get their most (obstensiably) Marxist agenda passed regardless. So if it maximizes their vote vs. the aggregate JCP LNF senate makeup, then they come out ahead. (I'll leave others to judge the distastefulness of throwing any of their own party members under the bus as part of the deal).

But I'm disappointed in the LNF--or at least those members who seriously considered the deal. Yes, I know the LNF supposedly considers the JCP "bourgeoisie" liberals and little to no better than the "reactionary" PCP. (See, I read your convention and campaign posts) ;-)  But in reality we all know---or at least should know---there is a marked difference in the nature of legislation passed by a PCP led Senate as opposed to one with a progressive majority (or at least plurality).

Yes, I know its all a game in an election sim, but for whatever extent principles matter in this game it sounds like a number of the LNF were willing to chuck those for short-term political gain. If there have been negotiations behind the scenes with the LNF and JCP of which I'm unaware, I apologize for the error. But otherwise the LNF should've considered working with the JCP first. No, the LNF is in no way beholden to the JCP, nor vice-versa. But we're a lot closer natural allies on the issues and goals for Atlasia than the PCP. But, again, for short term political gains it sounds like many in the LNF were willing to sell out to the very "capitalist running dogs" their party supposedly opposes rather than work with fellow progressives.

This is the problem with the left in a nutshell.

A couple of points...
1. You seem to be confusing the LNF with the CMPA.

2. It also seems clear that the PiT offer never had a realistic chance of acceptance - but I don't see how the party can be faulted for relaying any realistic offer to the membership for discussion.

I'll now get back to my Marxist Senate agenda...

[Јas]

Regardless of the CMPA's existance, Al and others have certainly led the party with at least a patine of Trotskyite sloganering and lingo. The point here is the LNF claims to be the "true leftist" party in Atlasia, and if so shouldn't be so quick to consider helping the PCP gain power.

Well, as I'm sure Al himself will attest, the LNF doesn't have a leader and his Presidential campaign has primarily been run as a CMPA effort. While I'm sure the LNF will strongly back that ticket, I don't think the LNF has any avowed far leftist agenda.

If the LNF declared itself to be the "true leftist" party then I missed it. Indeed I'd be a bit surprised. I'm sure the LNF membership would agree that the JCP could reasonably be described as of the left as well. Again I think there has been a line maintained between the rhetoric of the CMPA and the LNF in this regard.

Please note I chose my words very carefully in my post. Trondheim's post indicated the individual LNF members response was all over the board. I believe I made it clear I certainly do not fault the entire LNF. To be perfectly clear, to the extent any LNF members seriously considered the deal I say "shame"; but to the extent LNF members either disregarded the overture or said "go pound sand, corporate fat cats!", I say "bully to you LNF!".

I accept that the post was carefully worded, but note that, so far as I have made out, only 2 LNF members were prepared not to reject the offer out of hand.

I would also note that criticism from the JCP to any other party, DA or LNF, about enabling the PCP/RPP should be tempered by noting that it wasn't very long ago that we had a JCP/RPP ticket win the Presidential election. I hadn't realised that the JCP had changed it's stance such that only considering some form of agreement with the RPP/PCP would be deemed completely unacceptable.