by Marilyn is looking for whatever there is. N.
Member since:
August 11, 2006

What It Means To Be An Independent To Me.

December 07, 2007 06:28 AM EST
views: 159 | comments: 30

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A REGISTERED INDEPENDENT TO ME.

I'm not sure what it means to anyone else. However, it means a great deal to me due to the way I was raised. An independaent, like me, will look at every candidate, while in the case of my parents, who were registered ***************'s, only their party mattered. That led to an early influence that has stayed with me to this day. I think it's called guilt.

I always used to wonder, even as a young person, why one didn't look at everyone running for office, but only those in the party they belonged to and my parents weren't the only ones that did that. They voted straight partylines and that was it. Never taking the time to see if another was more in-tune, better in step with our countrys needs, maybe better qualified even.

So, I decided way back when that as soon as I could register to vote, I was registering independent, voting my mind, heart and beliefs, no matter what party that turned out to be and YES, I could split my vote!

I often wonder how many presidents, congressmen, etc's got elected due to the views taken by what I was brought up with. I also wonder if that mindset still holds true, at least to an extent and just how much harm it's doing?

mn - 2007

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Comments: 30

Danielle P. Dec 7, 2007, 7:21am EST
I vote by who I believe will do the best job not necessarily by my party line.
Jason P. Dec 7, 2007, 7:21am EST
Well said. As a newly-declared independent, I just want to try and make a difference. Something in our political system has GOT to change. I like to think that an independent candidate might be less corrupt (and less corruptible) than anyone else. I'd just like to see a politician that wants and tries to UPHOLD our Constitution, rather than constantly trying to undermine it.
Felix R. Dec 7, 2007, 7:22am EST
I vote the person and his or her policy and general world view. Party's mean nothing to me.

Good article, Marilyn.
Deborah O. Dec 7, 2007, 7:27am EST
well said, as an Independent I agree with you completely
Keep on going on ;-o
Felix R. Dec 7, 2007, 7:29am EST
Jason,

Ron Paul is your' man...check out:

Defend the Constitution!

http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul396.html
Spencer T. Dec 7, 2007, 7:42am EST
I still see that blind sort of party support from many and am sure a lot of candidates have been elected due to that attitude. Could that be another of the reasons we are in the mess we are in now?

Thanks for pointing that out.
Thanks, I've always wondered when an entire party seems to get into office or most of it anyways, just how much harm we've done by the people that just "voted their party". Glad to hear that I'm not the only one on here that's voting with their mind and heart, along with their intelligence.
Xavier Feldercarb Dec 7, 2007, 8:55am EST
I was raised in a Democratic household because over half of the annual cash came into the house as farm subsidies but when I registered to vote for the first time in 1960 I registered an an Independent. I was the family black sheep for a while but my indiscression was finally forgiven.

Since then I've studied every candidate for every election and I've voted for some and against others but at least I have a clear conscience.
Xavier Feldercarb Dec 7, 2007, 9:52am EST
Try this:

http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Dec 7, 2007, 9:59am EST
I think that there are many more folks today who think the way that you do - let's just find the best person for the job!
Apryl Just Apryl Dec 7, 2007, 10:12am EST
I am not an independant largely because in my area if I were registered that way I would seldom have the opportunity to vote. I am a member of a party that I am quite attached. I do look at the candidates on an individual basis but I have only crossed party lines once in my life and I so regretted it.
Heather W. Dec 7, 2007, 10:57am EST
This group is uniquely aware and seem to take the time to becom eeducated. Most voters do not put this much effort and thought into their choices. People vote based on who they relate to the best, not how their policies affcet the voter.

People will often choose someone that they feel is like them and therefor would act in a manner similar to the voter when confronted with choices. They want someone they trust, even if their stated policies would harm the interest of the individual.

Plus, studies show that once you have voted for a party three times you are in the future more likely to view candidates form that party as initially being more like you. So, even if not a straight party person, you are influenced by party affiliation in your beginning impressions.
Vicky P. Dec 7, 2007, 11:58am EST
My Father was a die hard Democrat, if he didn't like the candidates he wouldn't vote. As for me I don't vote.
Priscilla P. Dec 7, 2007, 3:22pm EST
Another issue is that we don't get what we see or hear!!!
Shaunee C. Dec 7, 2007, 3:33pm EST
I vote by who I think is the best for the job myself.
Christina F. Dec 7, 2007, 5:14pm EST
I didn't vote for my partyline during the last election. Each election I look at the candidate's platforms and then decide.

But I like your viewpoint. I think that's great that you're an independent and very thoughtful about whom you vote for.
donna h. Dec 7, 2007, 7:55pm EST
good article
Larry H. Dec 7, 2007, 10:34pm EST
Nice thanks for sharing
Charlotte McClain Dec 9, 2007, 6:10am EST
I remember having this conversation with my mother about the time I registered to vote. I wanted to register independent, but she pointed out that if I was independent I couldn't vote in the primaries. As far as I know she's still registered Republican, but she votes with her head. And so do I (but I registered Democratic. I was 18, I couldn't follow my parents completely and I was pretty sure Reagan was the anti-christ.)
Ron (in complete sheeple overload) W. Dec 9, 2007, 7:47am EST
On a mission, can't talk now, Trying to give fifty points (at least) to all my connections for Christmas, or whatever:

Ten unsolicited points from the world's worst connection. Merry whatever you celebrate!
William Dotani Dec 11, 2007, 12:09pm EST
Spot on. It's the person not the party. I used to be a Republican, but now I just feel utterly disgusted with the republicans. They have black hearts.
William Dotani Dec 12, 2007, 11:41am EST
King George the third was vain, wicked and insane
Now we have a George who is plainly the same
Karolyn Q. Dec 25, 2007, 5:18pm EST
I definitely do not vote with the party I am registered with but with the one I feel is the best candidate.
Sounds like at least the people here are voting by their candidate-choice, instead of by a party line. That's great, though I do know that there are also many that never deviate from a particular party of which they belong to. Good going from the people who're commenting here.
Felix, anyone....
I'd been looking at Ron Paul too, but does anyone think he's got a shot in hell of getting in? Just wondering....
debra g. Dec 28, 2007, 9:09pm EST
I vote for who talks the best and if I belive half of what I read about them.
Free Spirit or the guy next door ~. Mar 4, 2008, 8:01am EST
You say it so well, I have alway voted that way and yes when I was young I was told to vote party line as it was so much easyer to just pull one lever than going through the list as back then what ever the party said was what the person would do if elected no matter who he was. The Ted Kennedy's of this world get voted in time after time because of this mind set. I always go on line to "Vote Smart" and check to see what they have voted on and let me tell you those (except Ron Paul) all voted about the same and most are to support the war and take away our freedoms. I really can not see any difference between the party's so again I will vote for none of the above or in this case a third party.

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