I do take the American citizen’s right to vote in our elections seriously and while I may have joked about strategy in having my current party affiliation, it gave me the opportunity to vote in the primaries and I felt that this was important. I am willing to give up this right and have printed out the change of registration form and will head for town hall tomorrow morning.
Why? Basically because even though it’s been my policy to split the ticket and vote for candidates rather than the party platform alone, and while I realize that being noted as a Democrat or a Republican (or Green, or Libertarian, or whatever) does in no way reflect complete agreement with party stance, I cannot in good conscience remain saddled with a label that defines me as possibly accepting the deceit and downright maliciousness of even a small sector of that party’s beliefs.
In a simpler life, of course I’d like to be a liberal–a member of the Democratic party. After all, who wants to be marked as against science, education for all, equal rights, etc. Yet I see hypocrisy abound particularly brought out in this election: no discrimination based on race and gender, but a huge failure to remember that age discrimination is a fault too. And, I see a viciousness in liberal attacks against those that do not share their opinions that is totally out of sync with their professed beliefs.
In a simpler life, of course I’d like to be a conservative–a member of the Republican party. Despite the label of elitist and selfish, I understand and value their assumption of individual responsibility. Their refusal to allow God to be usurped by Government. But I also see in the pursuit of free enterprise and the greatness of a capitalistic society the abuse and greed that taints its intent. I see bigotry still based on ignorance and fear. I see the same twisting of the truth that I see from their liberal counterparts.
I don’t think I’m by any means alone in standing somewhere in the middle of the playing field. It would be nice to grant the citizens more choice than either/or. I’d like to see a third party–or fifth or eighth–form that has enough clout to find a place to represent a growing voice.
In the meantime, I am proud to say I’m Independent.
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