As the presidential campaigns get revved up, I find myself chatting with friends increasingly about politics, the American political system and, of course, the political parties. One thing I find strange is the impressively high number of friends who call themselves independents, despite the fact that they are very far from independent. Rather, it seems to me that the vast majority of my friends who call themselves independents are either disgruntled party loyalists, embarrassed to admit their party affection, convinced that self-declarations of being an independent make them seem more hip, or have never really thought about politics but simply inherited their political positions from their parents along with genes for height, hair color and bone structure.
With that in mind, I decided to create a simple test for people to see whether they really are an independent voter or if they are an independent poser. Please give it a try and let me know what you think:
(1) You have always voted in the presidential election for candidates from only one party, never for the presidential candidate from another party. You are a party loyalist, even if you are a disgruntled or embarrassed party loyalist.
(2) You always vote in primary elections to select your party's candidate. You are a passionate party loyalist.
(3) You would never vote for a third-party candidate. You may be apathetic, dissatisfied with the US's winner-take-all voting system, or independent... the jury is still out.
(4) You are still talking about how the Supreme Court stole the 2000 election and how the world would have been better off if President Gore had been in charge instead of Bush. You are a die-hard Democrat who needs to live in the real world not in the imaginary world of what-ifs. By the way, did you hear the news that the Beatles just broke up?
(5) You are convinced that Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum were all well-informed, qualified, potential leaders of America but that the liberal bias of the mainstream media portrayed them as incompetent. You are a die-hard Republican, perhaps even hoping that Sarah Palin will be part of the 2012 ticket.
(6) Everyone in your biological nuclear family, including you, voted for Bush in 2000, 2004 and McCain in 2008, or voted for Gore, Kerry then Obama respectively. Scientists are still trying to determine which chromosome the political party is linked to, but it is clear that you are homozygous Republican or Democrat.
(7) You are confident that weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq. You're pretty sure that Saddam Hussein's plans to invade Washington, D.C. were found right next to the nuclear launch button. You are also confident that once we get some proof that Obama was born in Indonesia, we can throw him out of office and finally go after Osama bin Laden Millions have died for you to have the right to vote. To honor their sacrifices, please get better informed before you cast a vote.
Americans take pride in being individualistic. We often look down on the herd mentality of others, yet rarely identify it in ourselves. As with many things in life, when it comes to being an independent voter, actions speak much louder than words. If your actions show that you are a party loyalist, then embrace it. If your actions show that you are an independent voter, then embrace it.
Follow Howard Steven Friedman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/howardsfriedman
 |
 |
|
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral Votes (270 to win) |
332 | 206 |
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 65,899,660 | 60,932,152 |
| Percent | 51.1% | 47.2% |
| Democrats* | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Senate | 53 | 47 |
| Seats gained or lost | +2 | -2 |
| New Total | 55 | 45 |
| Democrats | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats won | 201 | 234 |
The main reason is that there are MANY factors that go into someone choosing to be an independent voter, and you just BARELY managed to scratch the surface with some painfully obvious questions, all of which seemed to be designed to deride ANYONE who refuses to completely buy into either major party's lock-step thinking. I will offer the following quote as to WHY I'm an independent voter:
“What are the facts? Again and again and again – what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what “the stars foretell,” avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable “verdict of history” – what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!”
Robert A. Heinlein
There are very few venues producing an "unknown future" quite like the series of dominoes of fate that fall after a visit to the voting booth.
On the left, many independents are to the left of the Democratic Party.
2) I've been a registered Republican and a registered Democrat - depending upon who I planned to vote for as President in an election.
3) I voted for Paul last time around.
4) The SCOTUS shouldn't have to decide elections - there should be measures in place to protect our election process so that there is NEVER a question about the integrity of the voters, the ballots or the counters.
5) I don't think any of them were potential 'leaders' - but I also think media bias is rampant (and politically unhealthy) in this country.
6) Nope - it led to some pretty "interesting" family get togethers though.
7) Doubt that Hussein was going to "invade" DC - the weapons he used against the Kurds were enough for me and he led others to believe there were still weapons. Obama's birth certificate issue is a distraction. Even if it were true - it has the potential to cause irreparable damage to our nation. Let it go - focus on what is important right now.
Very few folks are independent voters, and most independent voters are disenchanted republicans. They were proud GOP in the age of IKE and Nixon ideology, but Bush43 tore all that asunder. Now they sit in the wilderness hoping their party will come back to them. Meanwhile they occupy 65% of the alleged independents.
Nah. We should just forget history like "real" Americans.
Do you really have to be a partisan to be revolted by dishonest dealings of the Supreme Court of your land?
I'd rather bet and take my chances at an honest table, then bet at all at a crooked table.
and there is a such thing as caring about people less fortunate and their children.
and since you appear to be neither thats why you need help.
08 campaign promises ~ I'll raise taxes on those making $250K or more ~ roll back the Bush tax cuts ~ NOT!. Its re-election time lets make it those making over a million and make it class warfare on them. People won't remember we promised that in 08.
GM bailout, started by Bush - now we are share holders in stock that is worth less than when it IPO'd, the tax payers have yet to see a dime of that money, the stock needs to be at about $54 a share before we break even. Solyndra ~ Chrysler or should I say Fiat, that money is gone. The list of promises of Hope & Change are long and few in accomplishments. I don't think Obama is a good leader, he is unable to work with congress and they simply don't want to work with him. It's a lot easier to remove one person then many, Obama is the cancer and if he is out the country can govern again.
Romney:
I have a little more faith, he's not a Washington insider; is he filthy rich yes, do I care no, is he out of touch, seems that way, but which is the lessor of two evils, 4 more years of failed policy and government or 4 new years of a rich guy trying to work with Congress. Romney has a record of doing that in Mass, Obama has no record of working with anyone in government.
Consider the four possibilities; higher or lower taxes, higher or lower spending.
Republicans are for lower taxes, and higher spending on the military.
Democrats are against cutting non-military spending, and against lower taxes.
Who is for higher taxes, and stable spending except for a small portion of independents?
It no longer works.
I don't support Obama, but he would appear to have compassion for those less fortunate, I personally wish Ron Paul was the nominee, him I would vote for!