Politics, Reluctantly
I have been a lifelong Democrat. My parents are from the South and moved North during their early work years. There they were introduced to unions, which at that time were wonderful institutions to ensure fair treatment of the workers and decent wages. Thus, my family were Democrats.
I was taught that Democrats were for the people and Republicans were for business. As a new voter, in my first presidential election I voted for Jimmy Carter’s re-election (who lost to Ronald Reagan) because he was a “real person”.
My parents did teach me not to be a “lever puller” however – so I’ve always tried to look at the candidate and not vote for someone because they were a Democrat. As a result I have frequently had a mixed party ballot through the year.
Life changed, my parents became Republicans. I married a Democrat who is a small business owner. Our church was Republican. I found myself defending my right to be a Democrat – to both sides.
A couple of years ago my husband had enough, he left The Party and registered as a Libertarian. Last year when our son turned 18 he registered as a Libertarian (I blame Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec). I have held on. Until now. This year’s election has broken me. I find that none of the parties represent me anymore. For the first time ever I am seriously considering re-registering as an Independent.
I am not giving up on voting, I do believe my vote counts – but I have given up on political parties.
What's sad is when we get mixed parties as far as President,, Senate, and House, because then nothing gets accomplished.
I'm with you Sheila. I don't think I've ever registered as a voter. But I'm an Independent now. As a little girl I shook Ted Kennedy's hand. My parents were devout Democrats. Then when all the bad stuff happened to Ted I figured I was either bad luck or misguided : ) So I quit voting. This year I got into it more. Dunno about the next election. We were the only 2 red dots in NJ, with the electoral college our vote didn't even count.
I give up on the outrageous amount of money ($4.2 billion) that was collectively spent by all the campaigns for the White House and Congress…nothing close to "value" is going to come of it. Candidates "buying" their office is the worst thing about politics.
It is pretty sad the election was over before the last people in the far west even voted.
I love this post. I was raised Republican, and I've never strayed from its fiscal leanings, but it's starting to lose me on social issues. I'm more truly a Libertarian, but I don't want to lose my vote in what's ended up a very polarizing 2-party system. I need to be brave, as do many more of us, to vote this way and show the two extremes they have to play nicer or we will start voting in a 3rd party candidate.
Or so I hope.
I applaud your bravery for the honest political post.
The current political scene is a mess, but I guess it has been for years. Maybe voters should be required to take a test like has to be done to get a drivers license. I think a lot of the people who vote don't even really know what they're voting for. Campaign advertising and electioneering doesn't do much to help educate voters either.
Lee
A Faraway View
My thoughts exactly. All of my family are Republicans–hardcore conservatives till the end. Yet, little old me…well, I too have a similar philosophy. I vote based on how a particular candidate relates to my own personal beliefs and views.
Towing the party line is a wasted vote, in my opinion.