Indepen-Dance

Free from the influence, guidance, or control of another or others-Independence.

 As we watch the parade of politicians pontificate and promise, many an American has decided that he/she no longer wants to identify with one of the two major political parties in this country. Proudly and making a point many an American has decided that he/she should not be taken for granted any longer and if a politician wants their vote that politician had better earn it. And as we watch this presidential campaign run amuck we are told more often than not that the Independent voter WILL be the the key to electing our next president.

I think being independent has it merits. If people want to be free in how they select their candidate or cast their vote; free from the pressures of the mechanics and machinations of party leaders, then by all means identifying as a Dem or Rep makes sense. If people want to take from both parties the good and leave the bad I also believe that democracy does have the potential to survive.

But in this political year, it seems that those running for office (an overwhelmingly large majority of whom call themselves Republican/Tea Party) from Mayor to Governor to President, have introduced a plan to diminish the rights and freedoms of some, the potential for fair and equal for others, and a lack of respect for the lives of minorities. In this political year it would seem to me that the vote cast should not be for a party affiliation, but for a candidate who believes in justice for good and not bad for inclusion and not exclusion.

With the huge amount of anti Women, anti Gay, anti Black, anti Poor, anti Old Person, anti Labor, anti Education laws and proposed bills brought to the fore by the Republicans/Tea Party and the continued lack of support for the Middle Class, how can one even consider that being an Independent voter makes sense. We read that the polls demonstrate a close race due to the Independent voter. Really, should we suppose that Independents have little respect for civil rights, rights stated in the Constitution, equal rights and STILL have not seen who cares about the many and who chooses the few?

Being and Independent empowers the American voter to be free of the rules and regulations the two political parties insist upon. But the tricky thing, the ugly thing is that by voting for the Republican/Tea Party this year is voting for a party that wants to restrict and remove independence for millions of Americans. Is that what  being independence is all about?