As I read through the Journal Sentinel this morning, Mike Nichols' column titled "Independents have clout, if not cohesion" caught my eye. It deals with the registered Democrats, the registered Republicans and those of us who declare ourselves to be 'independent' of those parties. Please read it in its entirety when time permits by clicking on the link above.
If you're a regular reader, you'll recall my Blog titled "Socialism is alive and well...in Washington, D.C." that appeared a week or so ago. That dealt with my take-away after having visited Congressman Obey's office and the treatment my group received from one of his assistants in Mr. Obey's absence.
Now, I find that the congressman feels that those of us who declare ourselves as independents "are by their very nature the people who have the least depth and exposure to what the candidates are doing and saying. That's why they're independents."
Nichols went on to point out that some 40% or more of Wisconsinites are independent while 25% are registered Republicans and 29% are registered Democrats.
First, I found Obey's statement to be reflective of his very apparent black and white view of politics. Seemingly, we either agree with him or we're wrong...Period!
Second, I re-thought my decision to cease being a member of the Republican party several years ago. It was essentially made as the result of my feeling that the party and I had grown further and further apart in points of view; and it was made when I thought that my contributions could be better directed to individual candidates as I chose.
Third, I resent the 'broad brush' with which I and other independents were obviously painted by Mr. Obey. I spend a great deal of personal time studying the positions of every candidate. I am particularly tuned to taxation and health care issues and very aware of immigration and general governance issues.
If you're an 'independent', are you lacking in knowledge about politics and candidates? Do you feel that you need to be told by a political party what to think and how to vote? Or, do you feel that you're likely to be better informed than most party regulars with whom you might interact?
I've used the phrase 'organized political party' as a great example of an oxymoron. Since 'independents' are likely comprised of people of all political persuasions, it is probably unlikely that we'll coalesce into yet another 'organized political party'. We obviously will have divergent points of view...but we'll have reached those viewpoints by independent thinking and analysis...not by group think.
Those of us who are more liberal will probably gain some impact by attempting to influence the Democrats' party, and those of us who are more conservative will probably gain some impact by attempting to influence the Republicans' party.
I would submit to you that conservatives will gain more clout in the Republican party than will liberals in the Democrat party. Why is that? The Democrat party is so very liberal today compared to 40 years ago that it is nearly impossible for it to become more so, and the independent liberals are much more the moderates of the Democrat party than anything else.
