re: #63 zombie

If this keeps up, we’ll have to form a new Lizard Party.

Speaking of which:

As some of you may remember, I’m slowly working on an essay not about a new political party but rather a new political orientation that falls outside the left-right spectrum.

One of the sticking points is that I need a name for this orientation.

The name must not be a pre-existing political orientation name, nor a former one that has been abandoned. It also must function as both a noun and an adjective. It also must be a pre-existing word in the English language but which does not have a specifically political connotation.

(The best comparable example is the word “progressive,” which meant something non-political until it was given a new political meaning, and functions as both noun and adjective.)

I still haven’t decided on a name, but I’d like to offer up a candidate name that recently occurred to me. The political orientation I’m speaking of is of course LGF-esque “anti-idiotarianism”, the Ideology Which Dare Not Speak Its Name.

Anyway, the word that occurred to me is:

commoner

As in: a “common man” with “common sense.” It also conjures an image of an unpretentious citizen who is unwavering in his down-to-earth sanity.

The possible downsides are:

It’s too close to “communist”
It sounds kind of demeaning.
It’s the last name of Peace and Freedom Party nutcake Barry Commoner.
…etc.?

Anyway, what do you think? Would you be comfortable if the word “commoner” came to describe the no-nonsense political orientation many of us share? Would you gladly call your self a “commoner” with “commoner” ideals? (Similar to a “liberal” with “liberal” ideals or a “conservative” with “conservative” ideals.)

Keep in mind that if you are already comfortable with a pre-existing label, such as conservative, libertarian, liberal, or whatever, then this question isn’t for you. It’s for people who are searching for an identity.

Just trying to get a general sense if “commoner” is an excellent or ridiculous candidate word.

Sorry, sounds too daintily of the Scepter’d Isle.