A Question For You
The question was raised in a bit different way earlier this year in a post I did about voting in primary elections.
Now I'm wondering just what the population of real live independant voters is. Here in Georgia in a primary you have to "declare" to vote in either the Dem or GOP primary, as is the case in some other states. But, here, in the general election, you go in, look at the ballot and make your decisions.
I don't know, that I know of, anyone that is a member of the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Green, etc. party by volition. Are you? Why? Do you give money? Participate in get out the vote stuff? Again, why?
My bet is that a large majority of the electorate may call themselves something, but have never formalized the relationship. That being the case, I'm interested in why. If an all encompassing political belief is worth having, shouldn't it be backed up by action?
6 comments:
When I originally registered to vote in Arizona (many moons ago) I followed in the steps of my family who was involved in earlier generations.
Since then, I have registered in two other states, only Nebraska being the other that required me to choose a party.
I am now registered in Virginia and very happy that I did not have to declare a party. I don't know that the Platform of either party represents the masses, so I don't feel an affiliation. I am going to vote for the one that best matches my own thinking (which is quite a challenge of late) no matter what party they call their own.
My daughter's dad is a strong Republican - Conservative I might say, because of the tax policies and he is a tax lawyer... he gives money and works within the party professionally, so he has an affiliation with that party.
Long story short - I registered due to family history and still believe myself to be a member of that party as it once was. The party today is one I don't recognize and thus, do not call my own.
In PA, to vote in the primary, one must register as either Republican or Democrat. If you are registered as an Independent, you have no vote in the primary at all. (Something I think is absurd because it prohibits freer choice of candidates in my opinion.
I've always registered and voted in the primary and of course, general election and I consider myself to be a "party member" although, frankly, I've never contributed money to the party. Lately though, I have seriously considered switching my registration so in the primary I could lodge a vote against the j*****s who is our representative in Harrisburg and has been since 1972! However, I can't bring myself to change my registration somehow although come November, I'll have no qualms whatsoever about voting for person, not party. So I guess for me, party is pretty much a force of habit when it comes to registration but not so when it comes down to the wire and actual voting.
I don't have an answer for you, but because I am an egoist and love to see my pseudonym in print, I am going to comment anyway.
I have friends who are "Republicans" and some who are "Democrats". They put the signs up in their yards, fight for their party's candidates, and so on. I could maybe ask some of them for you.
I, personally, have never felt the pull to any party (although when I was 11 I thought I was a republican because someone gave me a Dick Thornburgh for Governor poster), and the tyranny of the masses always seems to be at odds with my view of a rational and effective way of governing.
The only party I ever declared was the Libertarian party, but soon realized the folly of that particular oxymoron. So I am back to being an independent.
I donate my money to the independent party that I belong to, but since I am the only member, it comes out of my left pocket and goes in my right. Or vice versa. Depending on how liberal or conservative I feel on that day.
I shall now leave you with a quotation that seems oddly apt, given your query:
"Thanks to TV and for the convenience of TV, you can only be one of two kinds of human beings, either a liberal or a conservative." - Kurt Vonnegut
I frist registered as a Republican because thats what my parents were. I have kept that affilation here in FL because locally, if you are not a Republican, you don't have much to vote for in the primaries. I have been political active here - working for candidates, giving money, standing on street corners waving signs, going door to door and making phone calls. I was the paid administrator for our local Executive Committee for six years.
That doesn't mean that I vote a straight party ticket. I have given money to and worked for Democrats also.
I am considered a "super voter" since I vote in every election. I am also an informed voter - I read about the candidates and attend forums if I can.
Voting is a privilege but it comes with a responsibility. If you can not take the time to learn about your choices then you shouldn't be voting.
I was a member of the Communist Party (I guess technically I still am), and would have been active if I thought they were serious.
They were not. They liked to protest and complain and discuss theories, but weren't willing to take the steps necessary to actually change anything.
That is, I think, the same problem the Greens and the Libertarians and all the other alternative parties have: they don't really want to do anything.
I am a dedicated party member. Give money etc. My state government does not allow me to declare my choice via voter registration however.
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