Independence Party of New York City

In loving memory of Richard Austin - a fellow independent, a neighbor and friend. Richard was an active member of the Richmond County Independence Party and a NYPD traffic agent for 35 years. He passed away last month due to complications from the coronavirus. He is survived by his wife Inez Austin, pictured here, two adult children and a newly arrived grandson. Gone too soon. Sarah Lyons... Chair, Richmond Co. Independence Party (2005 - 2014) https://www.dignitymemorial.com//st/richard-austin-9144090

A Note from Jackie Salit, Independent Voting President In these dire circumstances, it can be difficult to think about the importance of developing our democrac...y, or the systemic reform issues that independent-minded people care about. We’re all focused on the immediate needs of our families and communities and the national mobilization to mitigate the spread of the virus while radically upgrading the health system’s capacity to respond. At the same time, the crisis shows us the deep level of disconnect between our public policy-making and the actual human needs that are arising at this time in history. It’s not an ideological question. It’s really something very practical. We must close that gap. For this reason, the work to fortify our democracy and to re-set our political practices and paradigms is an essential part of the path to recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic. What we do today, the actions we take, the alternatives we create, will determine how well we emerge from this crisis.

From NY1: "Once created as a home for the non-partisan voter, New York’s Independence Party may soon have to be fighting for its life.That’s after the state Public Finance Commission voted to change the requirements political parties must meet in order to stay on the ballot." "Minor parties will soon be required to get 130,000 votes or 2 percent in gubernatorial or presidential elections. Currently, parties must receive 50,000 votes every four years to maintain ballot status." "Those who worked to form the Independence Party in New York are crying foul, including Cathy Stewart the current vice president for national development at Independent Voting, are accusing the governor of a partisan power play."

Frank Fear shares his thoughts on The Overweight Brain today at Politics for the People. shorturl.at/CDMW3 Join our conversation with Lois Holzman on Sunday, December 8th at 7 pm ET.

The Politics for the People Book Club is reading Dr. Lois' Holzman's The Overweight Brain. Check out a blog post from Dr. Holzman today. https://tinyurl.com/y623d67g And join us Sunday, December 8th at 7 pm EST for a conversation with Lois.

Reminder: Politics for the People will be talking with the authors of Let All Voters Vote, Jeremy Gruber, Harry Kresky and Michael Hardy tonight at 8:30 pm EST. Check out Nancy Hanks' comments in our Reader's Forum. shorturl.at/lNPQ2

Steve Hough offers his thoughts on Let All Voters Vote today at Politics for the People. shorturl.at/dmuJ1 Tomorrow, join us at 8:30 pm EST for a discussion with authors and attorneys, Gruber, Hardy and Kresky.

Today in the P4P Reader's Forum, Al Bell offers his thoughts on Let All Voters Vote writing, "It turns out, we are not just trying to protect voters from predatory parties, we are trying to protect the Constitution from them as well. " shorturl.at/AETV5 . Join us on Monday at 8:30 pm EST for a conversation with authors Jeremy Gruber, Michael Hardy and Harry Kresky.

Dr. Jessie Fields weighs in on Let All Voters Vote today in the P4P Reader's Forum shorturl.at/awyHQ . Jessie writes, "One of the many brilliant accomplishments of this law review article is that it lays out the future usefulness of its arguments on behalf of voting rights and freedom in the further development of American democracy. Such legal foresight has been key to advances in civil and voting rights in cases such as Brown v Board of Education and Smith v Allwright..." Join Politics for the People this coming Monday evening (July 29th) at 8:30 pm EST for a conversation with authors and attorneys, Jeremy Gruber, Michael Hardy and Harry Kresky.

Jeremy Gruber and Harry Kresky weighed in on the recent Supreme Court ruling on partisan gerrymandering with an oped in The Hill. You can read it today at Politics for the People. shorturl.at/efpT3 Please join us on Monday, July 29th when we will be talking with both Jeremy and Harry, along with Michael Hardy about their Touro Law Review article, Let All Voters Vote.

Jennifer Bullock and Susan Massad reflect on The Line Becomes A River today in the Reader's Forum at Politics for the People. This Sunday at 7 pm EST join us for a conversation with author Francisco Cantú. https://tinyurl.com/y3n6gsfe

In today's P4P Reader's Forum, Tiani X. Coleman shares her thoughts on Let All Voters Vote and writes, "...this Touro Law Review article is unmatched on this issue, as it covers the legal case for unaffiliated voters in more depth than I have yet seen. The article very clearly and beautifully lays out how the next step in our country’s march towards full voting rights for every citizen is the recognition of the rights of unaffiliated voters as a new frontier in the civil rights / voting rights struggle. Please join us this coming Monday, July 29th at 8:30 pm EST for a conversation with authors Jeremy Gruber, Michael Hardy and Harry Kresky.

Today in the P4P Reader's Forum, two veteran independent leaders take a look at LET ALL VOTERS VOTE, by Jeremy Gruber, Michael Hardy and Harry Kresky. https://tinyurl.com/y6kkszfe Join us on Monday, July 29th at 8:30 pm EST for a conversation with the authors about the legal issues surrounding the voting rights of independents.

Sue Davies today in the Politics for the People Reader's Forum. Check out her thought provoking review of The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú. https://tinyurl.com/y2zffobk . Our conversation with the author is Sunday, June 2nd at 7 pm EST.

Jane Kleeb, Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and Cathy Stewart, VP of Development for Independent Voting, wrote an oped that appeared today in the Omaha W...orld Herald. "One of us (Kleeb) believes that the Democratic Party benefits by the inclusion of independent voters now 21% of the Nebraska electorate and recognizes that independents have personal reasons why they do not affiliate with a party and also understands that by embracing independents some may change their view of the Democratic Party. The other (Stewart) believes that no American should be forced to join a political party in order to be able to vote and recognizes that independent voters, now the fastest growing community of voters in the country, are a new force for revitalizing our democracy. Based on these beliefs, we have found a common cause."

Go Pittsburgh! Editorial Board of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes: "Let Mr. Schultz go to the country and make his case. And let the people, not the elites, de...cide." "The 'spoiler' argument, which is as old as political entitlement and opportunism, is really undemocratic and un-American. It is undemocratic because, in a democracy, every candidate 'spoils' it for every other candidate running. That’s the idea. It is un-American because no one is entitled to office, any office, or to any block of voters. And no one is entitled to limit another citizen’s choices."

Dr. Jessie Fields and Tiani X. Coleman share two poignant reflections on The Line Becomes A River today on the blog: https://tinyurl.com/y3mo2nxv . Join us tomorrow evening (June 2nd) at 7 pm EST for a conversation with author Francisco Cantú.

Join the Politics for the People discussion of An American Sickness with author Elisabeth Rosenthal, tonight at 7 pm EST Phone number: 641-715-3605 and passcode: 767775#

Check out Dr. Rosenthal on yesterday's CBS This Morning in a segment called "Bill of the Month". Dr. Rosenthal is the author of An American Sickness, our current P4P selection an will be our guest for a conversation this Sunday, December 2nd at 7 pm EST. goo.gl/ooadeg

Three Politics for the People members-- Jessica Marta , Steven Guarin and PJ Steiner weigh in on An American Sickness by Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal. goo.gl/VmbMm3 Join us for a conversation with Dr. Rosenthal is this Sunday at 7 pm EST.

Today in the Politics for the People Reader's Forum, Dr. Susan Massad writes about An American Sickness: "I have learned in my many years as a health care activist that I could not impact the flawed nature of our health care system without engaging in changing the way politics is conducted in our country. Health care reform, like educational reform and other major reforms, is not a single-issue item. It is embedded in everything we do." Join our conversation with author Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal this Sunday, Dec. 2nd at 7 pm EST. goo.gl/QvD91J

Today on Politics for the People, Steve Richardson responds to An American Sickness by Elisabeth Rosenthal. "As an economist, I was impressed with her Economic Rules of the Dysfunctional Medical Market, which are carefully linked to examples that I could easily relate to as a consumer." goo.gl/3DibJV Our conversation with Dr. Rosenthal is on Sunday, December 2nd at 7 pm EST.

Today's Reader's Forum at P4P features Jennifer Bullock. Check out what she has to say about our current selection, An American Sickness by Elisabeth Rosenthal. goo.gl/dhsp19 Our conversation with the author is Sunday, December 2nd at 7 pm EST.

In today's Politics for the People Reader's Forum, father and son review An American Sickness. "Profit-making isn’t a new story and it’s not even a bad story, eitherat least on its face. It becomes a problem when for-the-public-good operations get out of balance, focusing too much on money and not enough on public obligations." goo.gl/zh2MpE Our call with author Elisabeth Rosenthal is Sunday, December 2nd at 7 pm EST.

Kayla Shifter is my guest author for this months Politics for the People Column on IVN. goo.gl/FGuKVN Check out her review of An American Sickness by Elisabeth Rosenthal. Elisabeth will be my guest on Politics for the People on Sunday, December 2nd at 7 pm EST.

John Avlon, Senior political analyst for CNN, gives a weather-report on independent voters heading into tomorrow's mid-term elections. For post-election commentary from national, regional and local spokespeople of the independent movement, contact Sarah Lyons: 212-962-1824.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16th, one hundred and fifty guests gathered for the Annual Anti-Corruption Awards in lower Manhattan to honor Dr. Lenora Fulani on the occasion of the 30-year anniversary of her groundbreaking 1988 presidential campaign for fair elections. That year, Fulani became the first woman and first African American in U.S history to get on the ballot of all 50 states. Her grassroots effort gathered 1.2 million signatures, qualified for federal primary matching funds and fought a succession of cutting edge legal battles against unfair ballot access laws that discriminate against independents.

Our new selection-- An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back. Our call with author Elisabeth Rosenthal is Sunday, Dec 2nd at 7 pm EST.

Harlem Week, a month long celebration kicked off today with festivities at Grant's Tomb. The NYCIC were there, asking independents to take the "9 Questions for... the 44%" survey from Independent Voting and inviting everyone to sign a letter the chairs of the DP and RP in New York State urging them to open the Presidential Primaries to indies in 2020. See more

"I am writing from a spot nestled in the woods in Washington County in rural New York," writes Cathy Stewart in her latest column for IVN, "listening to the chatter of the morning birds and looking forward to a walk along the Battenkill River later today. It is summer vacation and that means summer reading, somehow especially delicious done by the sea, or in a hammock, or a shady spot under a tree."

Are the pollsters taking you for granted? Tell us about it!

From City and State: The Reform Party is pulling off a political stunt on Tuesday spanning four boroughs, 230 polling sites, and 5,000 workers. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, who represents New York’s 7th congressional district , and Rep. José Serrano, who represents NY-15, are virtually guaranteed to win re-election. They’re longtime incumbents in heavily Democratic districts who aren’t facing primary challenges. Under normal circumstances, the New York City Board of Elections ther...efore wouldn’t set up polling places in these districts on primary day. But this year, they will have to, since the tiny Reform Party is hosting a write-in primary. And the party is opening it up to all unaffiliated voters, who don’t belong to a political party. That means that 77,000 independent voters and 23 Reform Party members in Velázquez’s district ....have the option to vote. Ditto for the 55,000 independents and 38 Reform Party members in Serrano’s South Bronx district. The Board of Elections didn’t respond to a request for comment, but the Daily News reported that the Board will be running 230 polling sites and employing 5,000 workers, at a cost of $1 million to run elections in these two districts despite their being no actual candidates on the Reform ballot and no challenges on the Democratic side.

If you missed The Politics for the People conversation with Lois Leveen about her wonderful historical novel, The Secrets of Mary Bowser, you can listen to excerpts and the whole conversation today on the blog. goo.gl/z38oE3

Politics for the People Conference Call with Lois Leveen is tonight at 7 pm EST. Dial in and join our conversation about The Secrets of Mary Bowser. 641-715-3605 and passcode 767775#

Our conference call with Lois Leveen, the author of The Secrets of Mary Bowser is tomorrow, Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST. Today, check out our Reader's Forum for posts by Sheryl Williams and Lou Hinman. goo.gl/vqK1bV

The conversation grows as we head towards the Politics for the People conference call with Lois Leveen, the author of The Secrets of Mary Bowser. Dial in on Sunday night at 7 pm EST. goo.gl/3a3BUu In the meantime, check out today's Reader's Forum and read what Harriet Hoffman, Maureen Albanese, Lowell Ward, Helen Abel and Diana Dakey are thinking about Mary Bowser.

Today in the Politics for the People Reader's Forum, Vicki Karant responds to the Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen. On Sunday, join us for a conference call with the author at 7 pm EST. goo.gl/szrFMa

In today's Reader's Forum, Jennifer Bullock, the coordinator of Independent Pennsylvanians writes about The Secrets of Mary Bowser. " Then, it took my breath away when her new black associates in Philadelphia challenged Mary, asking what she missed about slavery and the south: Who could miss slavery? Mary said. Only, at least in Richmond, slavery’s the reason why we’re treated so bad. What’s the reason here? Read her post @ goo.gl/zGBrQh Conference call with author Lois Leveen is this Sunday (June 3rd) at 7 pm EST.

Today on the blog, we feature a review of The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Frank Fear. "I’ve known hundreds of ‘Mary Bowser’s’ in my life. None of them was as bold in character or as important in history, but they did important things, still." Check it out @ goo.gl/HoMFKC Mark your calendar for our call with author Lois Leveen on Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST.

Have you read The Secrets of Mary Bowser, our current P4P selection? Perhaps Memorial Day weekend give you the chance. Today in the Reader's Forum, we hear from Melissa Meyer and Ramon Pena as they start reading. goo.gl/kQg88C Our conference call with Lois Leveen will be on Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST.

Steve Hough writes about The Secrets of Mary Bowser in the Politics for the People Reader's Forum today. "Much of what has been written about the Civil War chronicles events from a military perspective.... However, for those who do study military campaigns, intelligence gathering would be an integral part of the story. A former slave, having been freed and educated in Philadelphia, voluntarily returning to Richmond, pretending to be a slave is remarkable. To then become a servant and spy in the Confederate White House is unimaginable." goo.gl/HfEV9A Our conference call author Lois Leveen is Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST.

Today's Politics for the People Reader's Forum features Bronx member Steve Guarin on The Secrets of Mary Bowser. Steve says, "I unreservedly recommend this book. It is a very creative story about the happenings during the most interesting time in this country’s history. Action, adventure, a little romance, and morality banging their heads together." Our conversation with author Lois Leveen is on Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST. goo.gl/kMfRB8

Today, the Politics for the People Reader's Forum features commentary from Harry Kresky on The Secrets of Mary Bowser. "...Bowser’s story demonstrates the importance of being able to live in a more cosmopolitan environment and interact with many different kinds of people, white and black, kind and not so kind. And the responsibility on all of us to relate to people as who they can become." goo.gl/b5b6UT Our conference call with Lois Leveen is on Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST.

Today on the blog, Lois Leveen uncovers the mystery behind an image purported to be Mary Bowser. goo.gl/RPi6ya . We will be discussing The Secrets of Mary Bowser with Lois on Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST.

Jessie Fields shares her thoughts on The Secrets of Mary Bowser and Mary's mission "to make the preservation of the Union contingent on emancipation from slavery." Visit the Politics for the People blog to read her post goo.gl/PDjGp5 Our conference call with author Lois Leveen on Sunday, June 3rd, at 7 pm EST.

Happy Mother's Day. Visit our Reader's Forum today for a post by Joan DeCollibus paying tribute to Mary Bowser's mother, Minerva. Our call with Lois Leveen, the author of The Secrets of Mary Bowser is on Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST goo.gl/ZgB88u

Today on Politics for the People you can listen to Live Wire Radio's interview with Lois Leveen on writing historical fiction and The Secrets of Mary Bowser... what does that have to do with a red tractor---check it out goo.gl/tEX9hd Our Conference call with Lois Leveen is on Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST.

On April 15th, Politics for the People book club members spent an hour in conversation with Greg Orman, an independent candidate for Governor of Kansas and leader in the independent movement. You can listen to our fascinating discussion on the blog. goo.gl/7dixr7

Today Politics for the People wraps up our celebration of National Poetry Month with two poems selected by Lois Leveen, the author of The Secrets of Mary Bowser, our next book club selection. goo.gl/xVrsdp Our discussion with Lois Leveen will be on Sunday, June 3rd at 7 pm EST.

Gwen Mandell shares her poem, Privilege as National Poetry Month continues on Politics for the People. goo.gl/WVYV7f

National Poetry Month continues at Politics for the People. Today, Jeff Aron and Jessica Marta share poems from Denise Levertov and Carolyn Forché. goo.gl/RHNEbE

Jessie Fields selects three poems by Tracy K. Smith today at Politics for the People. Visit the blog to read three powerful poems by our current US Poet Laureate. goo.gl/qHSjNa

National Poetry Month continues at Politics for the People with a selection by Harry Kresky. Visit the blog and read "Taking Stock?". goo.gl/uB381m

Peter White shares a trio of original poems today as Politics for the People continues our celebration of National Poetry Month. goo.gl/7cZY8p

Politics for the People continues our celebration of National Poetry Month with a poem by Caroline Donnola goo.gl/bYi6Vo

Politics for the People celebrates National Poetry month with a poem by Pablo Neruda, "Keeping Quiet/A callarse" . goo.gl/1g2gnT

I am excited about the new selection for Politics for the People. We are returning to historical fiction with The Secrets of Mary Bowser. Our call with author Lois Leveen is on Sunday, June 3rd. goo.gl/eNxpxM

Reminder: Politics for the People will be talking with Kansas' independent gubernatorial candidate and author, Greg Orman tonight at 7 pm EST. Check out my column on Greg's book, A Declaration of Independents today on the blog. goo.gl/CXc7jW

Reminder---Politics for the People Conference Call with Greg Orman tomorrow evening at 7 pm EST. Read what George Trapp, Al Bell, Jessica Marta , Howard Edelbaum and Ramon Pena are thinking about A Declaration of Independents today on the blog. goo.gl/VkHdPp

Tiani X. Coleman shares her review of Greg Orman's powerful book, today at Politics for the People. "Orman points out that we would never allow our sports teams to shamelessly rig the rules of competition such that the same two teams always make it to the World Series, and yet we have allowed Republicans and Democrats to do this in U.S. politics," writes Tiani. Please join us on Sunday @ 7 pm EST to talk directly with Greg, independent candidate for Governor of Kansas and powerful independent leader. goo.gl/52Ffaw

Lou Hinman looks at A Declaration of Independents today in the Politics for the People Reader's Forum. Join us on Sunday at 7 pm EST when we will be talking with Greg Orman, the author and current independent candidate for Governor of Kansas. goo.gl/BTF4Xy

Steve Guarin is in the Reader's Forum today at Politics for the People. goo.gl/naUutb Steve shares, "When I first got my copy of Declaration of Independents: How We Can Break the Two-Party Stranglehold and Restore the American Dream, I had in the back of my mind that it would be a dry political report. It is not." He is so right! Join us on Sunday at 7 pm EST for a conversation with Greg Orman, the author.

The leader of Florida Fair and Open Primaries, Steve Hough responds to Greg Orman's Declaration of Independence today in the Politics for the People Reader's Forum. goo.gl/4jEUVG We will be talking with Greg this Sunday, April 15th at 7 pm EST, please join us.

Sue Davies shares her own story to becoming a political independent today in our Reader's Forum, inspired by reading Greg Orman's journey in A Declaration of Independents. goo.gl/PQgpfo Politics for the People conversation with Greg Orman is on Sunday, April 15th at 7 pm EST.

The Politics for the People Book Club is currently reading A Declaration of Independents by Greg Orman. Check out what Independent Voting Election Reform Committee member Steve Richardson has to say about the book and mark your calendars for our conference call with Greg Orman for Kansas, on Sunday, April 15th at 7 pm EST. goo.gl/qWtFGe

Eric Fettman of NY Post writes: "Jessie Fields, a Harlem physician and political reformer, laments in the Washington Examiner the fact that 'there is immense pressure on black voters to protect the Democratic Party.' But with 42 percent of Americans calling themselves independents, 'blind loyalty to the Democratic Party is not an option.'Especially since 'in New York City, black elected officials and Democratic Party leaders fought an effort to open the primaries to its one m...illion independent voters, half of whom are young and of color.' Indeed, during the 2016 election 'young people of all races demanded that the Democratic Party change its rules to allow independents to vote. The establishment opposed it. Even the Congressional Black Caucus went on record in opposition. Says Fields: 'No American should be required to join a political party in order to exercise the franchise.'" See more

"He said that for many people, their guns are their way to feel powerful in a powerless society. They have an intense distrust of institutions, a real sense of powerlessness about the economy, about their ability to right wrongs, about so many other threatening aspects of life in our society." "For me, that thought took away some of the despair. It helped me not give-in to the all-too-common powerless shrug of we are facing a horrible crisis, but we can’t really do anything to try to solve it knowing that the independent movement is all about empowering people in positive ways."

Pick up a copy of Greg Orman's A Declaration of Independents and join Politics for the People Book Club as we read it together. We will be talking with Greg on April 15th at 7 pm ET. goo.gl/Y4To9j