DISQUS

Klutometis · 2 years ago

"They’ve followed the “major” candidates, but seemed to like second-tier candidates like . . . Ron Paul better."

Indeed: because Ron Paul is the only one with a message worth listening to; other candidates are in the position of barren posturing.

Yesterday's record-breaking fundraiser shows that.

Chalker · 2 years ago

What part of " independent" don't you understand? There are very good reasons why people register as independents or non-affiliated. I myself don't trust any politician no matter what party. They always promise you just what you want to hear till they're elected. Then it's all bets off for the the little guy. They only represent their contributers. The 2 party system is broken. Has been for a long time. To register with either party is to approve of actions of the politicans and their actions in that party.

george · 2 years ago

The two major parties just seem to be different flavors of corruption & incompetence.

I think a primary vote would be better than letting a lot of extremist activists & insiders in caucuses deciding who ends up on the ballot.

The threshold to third party options would be lowered.

Dave · 2 years ago

Elaine, I love your optimism and I respect the efforts you have made and are making to improve our society. By being unaffilliated, voters can on primary day affilliate with a the Rs or the Ds and have a say in who will win the primary.

If a voter is affilliated, they are stuck in that party. I have found caucuses to be all but meanigless. Rarely is there a contest for who will win the party designation for local candidates. Resolution committees are stacked with party hacks, so that pathway is all but shutdown. Party assemblies and conventions always degenerate into mindless rah-rah pep talks and no meaningful discussions/debates occur.

More often, fresh choices are offered by candidates that petitioned their way into the primary. If you are unaffilliated you could rally to support those freash candidates in either party in which they might emerge.

Kirk L. Martin · 2 years ago

I think we should all register as independents. Maybe then the two parties will realize how out of touch with the average American they both are.

Mike Archer · 2 years ago

Well said, Elaine, and I want to agree with it simply because it seems to make so much sense. I can't speak for other independents of course but the reason I am one, as are my wife, three voting age children and most of our friends is that the two major parties are broken, badly.

I voted democrat in 2006 hoping they would at least slow down the Bush neocon train but have been disappointed the dem congress has just continued to roll over and play dead. As to the republicans - as long as the GOP is controlled by nation-building neocon psychos, corporations, the mega-rich, the M-I complex and the religious right fanatics - I want no part of them, either.

In any event anyone who thinks there is any functional difference between Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton hasn't been paying attention.

I'm done voting for the lessor of two evils; I intend to cast my vote for Ron Paul even if I have to write it in on election day.

Danchen · 2 years ago

It is so important to ensure your voice is heard by registering with a party and voting on election day.
Don't let your anger and frustration with our politicians keep you out of the process. If you are frustrated, there is a very simple solution: on election day, don't vote for a SINGLE incumbent. EVER.
Party, policy, sound-bites... to me, none of that is important anymore. Vote them all out.