What Is The Reform Party?

The Reform Party is a political party in the United States that is a centrist, solutions-based party. We are not driven by a political ideology, like the Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians, but rather by a commitment to implementing the best policies for a majority of all Americans.

How did the Reform Party begin?

Ross Perot, who founded EDS and Perot Systems, helped to found the party in 1995. He ran twice as an independent, gaining nearly 20% of the popular vote in 1992. Following the election in 1992, a majority of Americans supported the ideas of Perot's independent campaign, such as restrictions on lobbyists and special interest groups, reducing the national debt, balancing the budget, fair trade deals that protect American workers, and improving infrastructure, education and health care. Perot, and millions of independent voters, helped to set the political agenda in the early 1990s that led to the first balanced budget in decades, and the only balanced budget in the last 25 years.

The Reform Party was born because a majority of voters had become disillusioned with the existing two-party system, and desired an alternative to the Republican and Democratic ideologies.

The Reform Party of Virginia is one of the leading voices in the Reformist movement today. Virginia Chairman, Michael Hackmer, participated in the Perot campaign in 1991 and 1992 in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been an active member since the Party was founded.

Where is the Reform Party on the political spectrum?

The Party stands for Americans who are disillusioned with the state of politics in America, and want an end to the corruption and power of special interest groups over Americans as a whole. We represent a centrist, solutions-oriented approach to government - driven by the concepts Perot articulated when he ran for President in 1992: balancing the budget, identifying problems and without ideology using the best methods to fix what is wrong, investing in our future through improvements to our education, healthcare and infrastructure, and adopting a sensible foreign policy and trade policy that places American interests first.

The Reform Party of Virginia is a moderate, centrist, and populist party that sits in the center of the political spectrum. We do not subscribe to a big government or anti-government agenda, nor do we have a specific ideology that is considered specifically liberal or conservative. Our belief is to carefully review all proposals, and develop the best possibly policies and laws for all Americans.

The Reform Party of Virginia has policies on a wide range of issues, and believes strongly that the two-party system, and its allies, have created a monopoly on power that has increased political conflict and ineffectiveness, as well as lead to greater corruption and unethical behavior among elected politicians.

What are the goals of the Reform Party?

The Reform Party of Virginia seeks to be a viable alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties. We exist to nominate and support members running for office, and promote legislation our members believe benefit the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States.

How does the Reform Party of Virginia differ from the Republicans and Democrats?

The Democrats represent the twenty percent of voters on the left end of the political spectrum, and the Republicans represent the twenty percent on the right. The Reform Party fights for the sixty percent of voters in the middle that currently have no representation.

How does the Reform Party differ from other minor parties?

Generally speaking most minor parties are fringe groups that support radical platforms. The Reform Party is a mainstream organization that supports moderate ideals.

Why does the Reform Party take no stances on social issues?

The Reform Party of Virginia believes that social issues or values issues (which include issues such as abortion, gay marriage, and end of life decisions) should not be our focus as a party's organization. They are views that are those of individual candidates, and should strongly reflect the views of a candidate's community.  Our focus as a Party is on issues such as the economy, education, health care, government fiscal accountability, trade, national security, transportation, energy, the environment, and jobs.

How was the Reform Party Funded?

The Reform Party of Virginia is primarily funded by individual members and supporters that make small donations. Ninety percent of the donations we receive are one hundred dollars or less. Of course we do receive some large cash and in-kind donations, but the small donors are the party’s financial base.

The Reform Party takes no money from political action committees or any other special interest groups.

Do any individuals profit from Reform Party activities?

No. The Reform Party is staffed by volunteers and has no paid employees. One hundred percent of all donations go towards party activities.

What are the future plans of the Reform Party of Virginia?

The Reform Party of Virginia continues to build its membership. We are actively recruiting candidates for office in Virginia at all levels of government.

Can a minor party candidate really get elected?

Yes! 

The Reform Party has nominated several notable candidates over the years, such as Ross Perot, Patrick Buchanan, and Ralph Nader. We also have elected candidates to local and state offices, such as the Mayor of Syracuse, New York in 2017.

The Reform Party has had a state governor who left office with a 70% approval rate. Reform Party candidates have been elected to local and state offices in the country, and independent candidates have been elected to offices all levels of government throughout our nation’s history. The only offices that have not been held by a minor party or independent candidate in the last century are the offices of the president and vice president.

 

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