To the Editor,

Picture yourself at a local coffee shop sitting with friends or family. The conversation shifts to local politics, and a consensus emerges: the government status quo seems incapable of solving the many challenges faced by ordinary Rhode Islanders by finding practical, common-sense solutions. This scenario is not unique to you and replicates itself not just across the 39 cities and towns of Rhode Island, but across our nation. The time is now to do something about it.

The two major political parties have designed the system to restrict power to themselves, blocking new middle-ground ideas from taking root. An approach based on collaboration, compromise, conversation, trust, and a willingness to serve most of the American people (not just Party) seems foreign to them. This is where I have found the Forward Party to be different.

Why did I decide to get involved with the Forward Party? Like many of my friends, I have found it increasingly difficult to fit into the existing party structure. The two parties are diverging from common sense solutions, pulled away from the center by their extreme factions - nationally and locally. If this sounds familiar, use the link below to learn more about Forward.

The reality is that here in Rhode Island 42% of voters are unaffiliated (only 2% behind registered Democrats). Where are the solutions for those voters? I believe Forward offers an alternative to have these voices heard and drive action and accountability with our elected officials. The next great idea can come from either side of the aisle, regardless of party letter. To move this country forward, we need elected officials who are brave enough to defy the political directives of their national parties and work to solve the problems plaguing their constituents.

My experience has been that the Forward Party is about listening to the community and finding bottom-up, local solutions, cultivating a sense of civic responsibility, and developing our leaders on the ground.

I encourage you to get involved as a community leader, candidate for local office, volunteer, or as a concerned citizen. Please join me to help grow the voice of the Forward Party here in Rhode Island. Go to www.ForwardParty.com/rhode_island  to learn more and sign up.

Not left. Not right. Forward!

Jim Palmisciano

RI interim leader of Forward Party

Editors note: Jim is a lifelong Rhode Islander, born in North Kingstown, raised in East Greenwich, went to high school in Warwick, attended Providence College, lived in West Warwick while working post-college, and now resides in Richmond, RI. With the exception of a short stint in Illinois and a work deployment to Ireland, he has lived in RI his whole life and has a good part of the state’s geography covered.

For the past 20+ years he has worked for Schneider Electric, the parent company that purchased American Power Conversion (APC) in 2007. Currently Jim is the European Sales Enablement Director for the Secure Power (APC) Division. Jim lives in Richmond with his wife and two children, having moved here in 2008. He has been active in local government in Richmond for the several years, having served on their economic development commission before joining the town council as vice president from 2020 - 2022.

Jim got involved originally with the Serve America Movement (SAM) approximately 3 months prior to the merger with heritage Forward and Reform America Movement (RAM). For the last year, I have functioned as the interim state lead for unified Forward (FWD) RI.