Indepublican

I have been a registered 'Independent' in Arizona since the 80's.  I am committed to it, I see no significant voice for me in either the Republican Party or Democratic Party.  I don't find either party representative of me or my values.  At times I wonder if there is any difference between the two parties, or if they may just be a way to disguise the fact that we, as Arizonans, have no choice at all.

The terms liberal and conservative don't appeal to me either. Neither word has real meaning to me. Liberal has the same base word as 'Liberty', but I don't see much liberty in being a Liberal. Conservative has 'Conserve' as it's base word, but I see no effort to conserve in that group of people.  I am a firm believer in the separation of church and state, therefore choosing the Religious Right as my guidepost is not acceptable. Yet, many of these core beliefs of mine are based off my core beliefs which do have a spiritual undertone, so the left is not home to me either.

To sum it up, I think of myself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Neither traditional party has a place for me as indicative of my political values.

However, last week I finally (temporarily) got off the fence and joined a traditional American Party....

in small words....I am now (temporarily) a Republican. cough cough. really.

don't hate on me.  it is just temporary.

In this election, at this time, being a Republican allows me to vote against Donald Trump in both the Primary and General elections.  I think  that is an important task for me, allowing my voice to be heard twice.

I feel it is important that I do what I can to prevent a President in office that I view as a  demagogue.  I can't know for sure that he is a racist, that he is against women's equal rights, that he is against free speech, that he is a proponent of torture. However I do know that he chooses to appeal to those people whom do support those stances. I can see for my own eyes that he has made the choice to appeal to those fringe element people that would support those unjust causes. In opposition, my only tool is to vote against him. I do feel that my country is allowed to choose the candidates whom they believe in by democratic process.

My Hypocrisy knows know bounds. And proud of it. Of one thing I am not proud, is that I can't remember a Presidential election yet where my choice at the polls achieved the highest American office. That, my friends, is quite and accomplishment, to successfully navigate the losing candidate all these years.

 There is always next time.

 I love my country, I love my rights as a citizen, and I chose to vote my conscience, right or wrong. Twice if I can get away with it.  :)

Cheers, nca