Prior to Bush I was thoroughly and completely independent. I held both Parties in equal disrepute.
Then slowly over the last 7 years I began to become an anti-Republican. I started aligning myself with the Democrats. I started defending the Democrats and actually made a few political donations to them.
But I never crossed the line and called myself a Democrat.
Now that it has become crystal clear that Democrats are intent on presenting Obama as their nominee my pendulum is swinging again. But toward what? McCain? Lordy. What a choice.
I have always described myself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal. For me this translates into pragmatic. Ideology is for the birds and extremists.
I support Hillary Clinton, with all her warts, because to me she is a centrist. When push comes to shove, she'll be pragmatic. And, in my humble opinion, the mess that George Bush and the neoCON's have gotten this country into is going to take a whole bunch of careful steering between icebergs.
But … apparently the Democrats want a liberal ideologue. And … by golly … they're going to force that decision down my throat. They think that I'll be forced to vote Democratic vs. Republican.
Well … you know what. I'm not going to do it.
This country truly needs a third Party. Not a right wing or left wing Party, but a real, honest to God centrist Party. A Party that embraces “pay as you go”, believes deficits do matter AND doesn't care whether you're gay or smoke pot or own a gun or walk around naked in your own home. A Party that focuses on individual responsibility while recognizing that why we live such a blessed life here in this wonderful country is a direct result of the many benefits we receive from the social and physical infrastructure we have historically invested in. We pooled our money and won the lottery!!!!!
So what's a peon like me going to do?
Well I'm going to continue with my day job, pay my bills and write political articles as the horse manure from the Democratic and Republican Parties continues to swirl around me.
AND … and write in a candidate this fall so that at least I can live with myself.
I choose door number 3, thank you very much.
