Often when people disassociate from one political party, they immediately go to the opposition. However, when I abandoned the Democrats, I didn't become a Republican. I purposely chose to avoid party affiliation and become a values oriented Independent.
Honestly, in a two party system, most people should be "independent." Most people have nuanced perspectives that can't easily be wedged into a party platform, and I know from my experience, there are issues I agree more with Republicans on and issues that I agree more with Democrats on and I'm often frustrated because, when it comes right down to it (other than quite recently), the party elite act pretty much the same. They might talk a good game, but when it comes to what they do, there's very little difference in the outcome. (I say until recently because the Democrat Party elite have gone nuts, whereas the Republican Party elite are just their usual selves, which isn't a compliment.)
And that's why a lot of the craziness. How exactly do you win over people when they're forced to choose between two whole unsuitable (to each individual) options? It's like standing in front of a freezer, seeing a hundred kinds of ice cream, and being told you're a fence sitter if you want something other than chocolate or vanilla. And neither party elite will commit to taking care of the population, versus their donors and themselves, so you get this ridiculously exaggerated image if you don't get outside the parties, as you've done.
A lifelong independent in my 60s. Strong feelings about a two party system which, in many jurisdictions, has been reduced to a one party system. Neither is good for the people.
The party machines serve the special interests and donors who dictate who rises from the ranks (and owes favors) and gets the nod for the primaries.
On a national level, there’s no way our current president would have  survived the primaries without strings being pulled in the background. A true primary vetting process hopefully would’ve  prevented Jorge Santos from being elected from a contiguous congressional district. It’s almost as if the  Republicans were trying to check all the right boxes and gave us one of the biggest losers to win a congressional seat in years. And that says a lot.
Many of your  columns, strike a chord with me, though we come from very different places. You have a voice that needs to be heard!
Unless you are a politician for a job I’ve never understood the party affiliation over outcomes narrative. Even when I was a registered Democrat I would vote for Republicans occasionally, though in retrospect I was indoctrinated. That said, to me the actual outcomes produced by Ron DeSantis policies are great while we still suffer consequences from those Bush II implemented. I’m opposed to our endless foreign interventions - today that’s a subset of the Republican politicians while 15 years ago it was a subset of Democrat politicians. The party labels mean nothing to those of us who aren’t politicians. The outcomes of the policies instituted are what impact us. I’m not a fence sitter for being independent. I own my vote. I’m not for sale and I’m not a 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Amen! Most of the people I talk to as a physician are interested in how they can make life better for them and their families. Most see the turmoil in the streets and it turns them off. The radicals truly have little support. The majority (80%) want to love the American dream and strive to fulfill it. That’s what I shoot for. In my case I see, and have experienced, #AmericaFirst as the way to do this for all of us 80%’s!
I always enjoy reading your take on things, Adam. Like you seem to have been, I think there are many people who are diehard democrats out of tradition only; their actual thoughts run much more conservative. I hope more of those folks are able to "see the light" and begin to think outside their self-imposed boxes. Most of us really more alike than we are different.
I think one missing piece is completely open uncensored public commentary on all Congressmen, bills, and unelected officials. It should be trivial for any member of the public to make comments on them and nothing should be suppressed except threats of violence.
I've made a post for each Congressman on my own site, https://patrick.net But I'm just one person. Would be great if there were some standard for sharing such comments across all websites for enhanced resistance to censorship.
Picking one side, a team, means you take on ideas you may have disliked in the past because you’re not voting for who aligns with your tenets or even what’s best for the country but what’s best for the team.
I LOVE this! Thank you. I am an "independent" as well, but, for me, I started out as a Republican. You could have wrote the same words about my path, and thank you for this!
I Gave Up Political Party Affiliation & Chose Me Instead
What an insightful article.
Honestly, in a two party system, most people should be "independent." Most people have nuanced perspectives that can't easily be wedged into a party platform, and I know from my experience, there are issues I agree more with Republicans on and issues that I agree more with Democrats on and I'm often frustrated because, when it comes right down to it (other than quite recently), the party elite act pretty much the same. They might talk a good game, but when it comes to what they do, there's very little difference in the outcome. (I say until recently because the Democrat Party elite have gone nuts, whereas the Republican Party elite are just their usual selves, which isn't a compliment.)
And that's why a lot of the craziness. How exactly do you win over people when they're forced to choose between two whole unsuitable (to each individual) options? It's like standing in front of a freezer, seeing a hundred kinds of ice cream, and being told you're a fence sitter if you want something other than chocolate or vanilla. And neither party elite will commit to taking care of the population, versus their donors and themselves, so you get this ridiculously exaggerated image if you don't get outside the parties, as you've done.
A lifelong independent in my 60s. Strong feelings about a two party system which, in many jurisdictions, has been reduced to a one party system. Neither is good for the people.
The party machines serve the special interests and donors who dictate who rises from the ranks (and owes favors) and gets the nod for the primaries.
On a national level, there’s no way our current president would have  survived the primaries without strings being pulled in the background. A true primary vetting process hopefully would’ve  prevented Jorge Santos from being elected from a contiguous congressional district. It’s almost as if the  Republicans were trying to check all the right boxes and gave us one of the biggest losers to win a congressional seat in years. And that says a lot.
Many of your  columns, strike a chord with me, though we come from very different places. You have a voice that needs to be heard!
As always, Adam, it’s a pleasure to read your articles . True is more often on the middle than on the extremes. Keep on the good job!
Best regards
Ed
Bingo!
Unless you are a politician for a job I’ve never understood the party affiliation over outcomes narrative. Even when I was a registered Democrat I would vote for Republicans occasionally, though in retrospect I was indoctrinated. That said, to me the actual outcomes produced by Ron DeSantis policies are great while we still suffer consequences from those Bush II implemented. I’m opposed to our endless foreign interventions - today that’s a subset of the Republican politicians while 15 years ago it was a subset of Democrat politicians. The party labels mean nothing to those of us who aren’t politicians. The outcomes of the policies instituted are what impact us. I’m not a fence sitter for being independent. I own my vote. I’m not for sale and I’m not a 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Same. Good for you.
Amen! Most of the people I talk to as a physician are interested in how they can make life better for them and their families. Most see the turmoil in the streets and it turns them off. The radicals truly have little support. The majority (80%) want to love the American dream and strive to fulfill it. That’s what I shoot for. In my case I see, and have experienced, #AmericaFirst as the way to do this for all of us 80%’s!
I always enjoy reading your take on things, Adam. Like you seem to have been, I think there are many people who are diehard democrats out of tradition only; their actual thoughts run much more conservative. I hope more of those folks are able to "see the light" and begin to think outside their self-imposed boxes. Most of us really more alike than we are different.
Thanks for what you do!
Thanks Adam. You're a man after my own heart.
The parties are a joke. Congress is a circus.
Like you, I choose ME.
I think one missing piece is completely open uncensored public commentary on all Congressmen, bills, and unelected officials. It should be trivial for any member of the public to make comments on them and nothing should be suppressed except threats of violence.
I've made a post for each Congressman on my own site, https://patrick.net But I'm just one person. Would be great if there were some standard for sharing such comments across all websites for enhanced resistance to censorship.
It’s like you’re sitting on the couch in my brain. Thanks for this!
Picking one side, a team, means you take on ideas you may have disliked in the past because you’re not voting for who aligns with your tenets or even what’s best for the country but what’s best for the team.
I LOVE this! Thank you. I am an "independent" as well, but, for me, I started out as a Republican. You could have wrote the same words about my path, and thank you for this!
Well said, no one should vote or root for a party or a side, you should vote for whoever’s policies seem the best to you regardless of party
You're describing me, except I've abandoned the Republicans.
This is EXACTLY my position as well.