I was born into a family where Mom’s side was Democrat. They were quiet and private about politics. My Dad’s side was loud and adamant about being Republican. At 18 I registered Republican. I had two children and my husband was Democrat and his grandpa ran the Democrats in our county. I knew in a house divided the children get to hear both sides.

But when I’m the ‘80’s some Evangelical churches, especially Baptists in our town, said, from the pulpit! That if a person did not vote Republican they were not really a Christian. I went down and registered Democrat.

The Divisions are horrible on politics, in churches, in our families!

We accidentally found the Baha’i faith 10 yrs ago. We are in our 70’s now and love the principles it teaches. Was Baha’i’s the first thing they teach is we are each responsible for investigating truth. Baha’i register Independent and do not get involved in partisan things but we do investigate things, stay well informed and we vote! That is seen as our duty. Justice is at the core of our teachings.

I first voted 48 years ago. I was always taught to pick a party, however, in a general election, vote for the person you feel is the best candidate. I was young, didn’t understand open or closed polls, Independents, NPA, etc. Over the years I have learned a lot. I do research on candidates, too. I have become disillusioned with both mainstream parties & there are few alternatives. I became NPA many years ago. At general elections I vote whom I believe is the best. I’d really like to see open primaries become a reality in Florida. Nobody should be forced to align with one party for their voice to be heard.

im independent because the current system is based off extremism and bent on suspicion, division and differences. they no longer care about the constitution, separation of church and state but political agendas mainly to block the other party from accomplishment. the current system is more worried about keeping seats than actually standing up for the people who put them in office in the first place. its has also become a bazaar for influence peddling, buying and selling legislation. i dont need these used car salesmen trying to tell me what, why or who to think. Trump ran on a platform “Make America Great Again” and then proceeded to make it even worse with his crooked misogynistic narcissism. you want to make america great again then restore the spirit of co-operation and compromise that made america great in the first place. get rid of the lobbyists they have no place in the halls of DC re-engage the american people in the actions of those they have voted to serve them and set term and age limits, too many who serve now are the problem not the solution they need to be removed and replaced. it is also time to restore the integrity of the supreme court and the electoral college. the parties in place DO NOT represent a vast majority of the people (independents, middle class) and we are left trying to choose the closest “fit” to try to represent us

Well to start, the two-party system is not found anywhere in the Constitution and only serves to marginalize the voting power of Americans. This has been abused to stalemate progress to the benefit of no one and the detriment of all Americans. Specifically, this is of peak importance with Congress, who has neglected to use the full extent of their powers to the life liberty and pursuit of happiness of the American people. I’m talking about self-imposed rules like pay-go that undermine any real resource allocation and distribution throughout the economy to provide the people what they need. Both parties are fundamentally economically incompetent and unaware that when functioning as a part of Congress, they are currency issuers not currency users. If there were a political bar exam that tested potential politicians on our federal law, sociological standing, and the macro-economic implications of potential policies, the way there is a legal bar exam for potential lawyers, I am not sure any of them would pass. The term we get a functional Congress will be the greatest improvement to a country’s infrastructure, education, health, and equitable distribution the world has ever seen.

I’m independent because I like to think for myself. I don’t care about environmental changes much, I believe in the use of weapons, disciplining children,

But more importantly I’m in the LGBT community, don’t need a church or leader to direct me, and I can’t stand the narrow minded.

I became an independent Voter because I was disgusted with the way the Democratic party was headed. I am more Conservative than them but I was a little less than the Staunch Republican Party. So I changed to Be an Independent Voter. Now I am not allowed to vote in Delaware in Primaries. They are denying me my right to vote. I can only vote in the Election after a Candidate has been chosen. I feel if Independents were allowed to vote in Primaries there would be more of a deciding factor in the races. I want my right to VOTE. In primaries

I believe in freedom of choice

I believe in voting for or against based off platforms. I do not vote for parties but I did sign in as a registered republican so I could vote in the primaries.

I decided to become an independent mainly because I become disgusted with both parties around the time Trump became a candidate the first time around. I just wanted to be someone who could voice her opinions and not be labeled. When I first started voting at the age of 18…that was over 30 years ago, I was a Republican. That was the time that Republicans were actually something to be looked up to and not acting like cowards like they act today. They did not let one person dictate their actions like they do today. Several years later I wanted to vote democratic so I changed to Democrat. A lot has changed since I started voting and it has really gone hill with both parties. It is a shame that most of this country is so under the thumb of Trump. We used to be a country that stood for something. Now, this country is on the brink of going down that rabbit hole.

I am tired of having to vote for the better of two unacceptable candidates. I am equally tired of a rigged system that perpetuates self-preservation, polarity and stagnation. Above all, I am furious at being disenfranchised.

I am a no party affiliated voter. Why? Well, I was a partisan Republican elected to my state legislature and also to the local school board, serving as president. The partisanship had me yoked to some people with whom I disagreed on a few to many issues; nonetheless, since I was yoked as a Republican it made me bedfellows to many I did not respect due to their views. As a nonpartisan school board member I was beholding to and responsible only to the constituency not a political party. Frankly, all public offices should be non partisan so that candidates campaign to favorably impress the majority of voters not just the small base that threatens to “primary” the candidate from office..


I am well-aware that political parties views change. Today’s Democrat is quite different than the Dixiecrats of yesteryear and the Republicans have become darlings to lies, insurrection and a cult pandering to the last president. They are the new Dixiecrats and the Dems have embraced the environment, equality and rejected the lies of the former president and cult messiah. Nonetheless, I do not vote for Democrats or Republicans simply because of party affiliation., I read the platforms, most are of course, simply hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. It means little, I have to research the candidate and when possible talk directly to them.


If tax dollars and public employees are used to manage elections, all tax-paying eligible voters should and must be allowed to exercise the right to vote without joining a private club. Otherwise, being denied the vote, is tantamount to taxation absent representation.


Political parties, if they want to keep the clubs private, should themselves pay for caucuses or conventions without taxpayer support in choosing their standard bearer. They have been granted privileges to which they have no right.

I made a thoughtful decision to become an independent after the term of President Barack Obama because neither party lived up to my expectations. As someone who has been both a Republican and Democrat, I know the importance of holding politicians accountable and seeking a non-partisan approach to politics. My desire is for more balance and representation in the political landscape.

When I was old enough to vote, Ross Perot was running for president. So when I went to register to vote, I didn’t want to be a Democrat or Repuican, and I chose to be Independent because then I could vote for who ever I thought was best suited for what they were running for, REGARDLESS if they were a Democrat or Republican, or Liberal or Independent.

I don’t like bring classified as a REPUBLICAN or Democrat and when I am asked, I always say I am Independent. That always seems to stop them in their tracks trying to get me to become one or the other. I also tell everyone that it is none of their business on who I vote for .

My political views don’t always follow the tenets of either major party. After over 30 years as a Democrat I switched to Independant. I felt the two major parties aren’t working any more. Their best candidates for PRESIDENT are two persons that a majority of Americans don’t want to vote for. But my state, Pennsylvania won’t let me vote in the Primaries. They allow me to pay for the process though. This is wrong. And even if you don’t agree with me, I don’t think you can argue about the deadlocks congress keeps encountering. Send them a message: It’s as simple as going on line and changing your affiliation to Independent.

I consider myself to hold views championed by both political sides, so I don’t choose one side or the other. For example, I am anti-abortion but also anti-gun. And while I have no problem with rights of women or minority ethnic groups, I am against the behavior of LGBTQ+ community and their so-called “pride.” You can see that I have diverse perspectives on different issues. So, therefore, I prefer to be independent rather than Dem or GOP.

Well, I started my life as a Democrat, then through my Brother and a couple others I shifted to Republican and even some Libertarian ideals. But as I have matured, I realize none of them have it ALL right. As an Independent I am able to be myself and to vote for whoever I feel is right and just, and not the “Lesser of 2 Evils” as we are unfortunately seeing all too frequently. I am doing what I can to open people’s eyes to a real candidate in RFK Jr, and a wider choice of candidates for the future.

I’ve always realized that I never fell into one or other because I never felt like either party had it right. You’re immediately put into this stereotype as soon as you choose anything and it always appalled me because the way humans think is diverse how could we possibly narrow it down to two main parties? I don’t want to choose either side because my views dip into each, I also don’t want to pick a side when they’re too busy trying to blame the other side for everything anyway.

Ever since I’ve been of age to follow politics I was never intrigued or fascinated by the two party duopoly. I’ve never seen the prosperity their front running candidates like to promote. I also share beliefs with both sides of the aisle, but I would give Robert F. Kennedy Jr. the credit for why I’m affiliated as an independent.

I became an Independent when Democrats let me down. It no longer seems like they are much different from Republicans in terms of what my morals and values are for humanity. Neither group cares about us and really it sucks lumping us in to one party. I took a stand and switched parties after Biden continued to send Israel money and weapons enabling the ongoing Genocide with OUR tax money. I’m done.

SO IM NOT POLITICALLY DISCRIMINATED ON

I registered to vote on or close to my 18th birthday. I was sure I was a Republican! I had been campaigning for Ronald Reagan before I could vote for him. My parents and most of my family were Republicans. Throughout my 20’s and 30’s I attended fundraisers and protests. I faithfully listened to Rush Limbaugh. Then I read Howard Zinn’s, “A People’s History of the United States”. In addition, I was becoming disillusioned with the agenda set by Republicans. I felt they no longer represented me and my values. I also found Rush Limbaugh to be a divisive figure full of contempt. He called the moderate Republicans fools and constantly mocked them. I stopped listening. I began listening to NPR on a daily basis. I also turned in BBC. The Anita Hill testimony before congress angered me so much I knew I was no longer a Republican! I was ashamed of the party I had so proudly touted! I live in Florida so I am currently registered as a Democrat but in truth I prefer Independence. Both parties are stacked with old, white men. Generally old, white men do not represent my values!

The Greatest Generation emerged victorious from the tumult of World War II, a conflict that tested the mettle and spirit of an entire generation. In the aftermath, as the shadow of the communist USSR loomed large, this resilient generation spearheaded the Marshall Plan, a beacon of hope that played a pivotal role in the reconstruction of Europe and Japan. With unparalleled commitment, they forged the world’s most formidable military, laid the foundation for a modern infrastructure, including the interstate highway system, and cultivated an education system that became the benchmark for excellence worldwide. Their efforts ushered in an era of economic prosperity, giving rise to a vibrant middle class that became the emblem of aspiration for all nations cherishing freedom.


However, as the baton passed to the Baby Boomers and subsequent generations, a palpable shift in societal attitudes towards fiscal responsibility began to surface. This period, notably marked by the presidency of Ronald Reagan, witnessed the burgeoning aversion to taxation, a sentiment that gradually became ingrained in the American psyche. Concurrently, the advent of cable news and the entrenchment of the Republican and Democratic Parties as dominant forces in American politics fostered an environment where the pursuit of power overshadowed the imperative to address and fulfill the electorate’s needs. This era ushered in a political stalemate, characterized by an unwavering reluctance to compromise—a stark departure from the collaborative ethos that once defined American governance. Amidst this backdrop, the nation grappled with the repercussions of technological advancements such as AI and increased production efficiency, phenomena that precipitated the displacement of millions of American jobs.


It was against this backdrop of growing disenchantment and perceived entitlement—a syndrome I term “the apathy of the entitled”—that the essence of American citizenship seemed to devolve. The collective appreciation for the sacrifices and achievements of the Greatest Generation dimmed, as the privileges and opportunities afforded by our nation were increasingly taken for granted. This generational complacency, fixated on personal financial security to the detriment of societal progress, underscored a profound disconnection from the ethos of collective responsibility and gratitude.


The emergence of the Forward Party signaled a pivotal moment of introspection and potential recalibration. This organization, with its visionary outlook, underscored the necessity of data-driven pragmatism and a commitment to transparent, deliberate processes in the pursuit of legislative success. The Forward Party’s ethos of legislative achievement through cooperation resonated deeply with those yearning for a return to a more unified, productive discourse in American politics. By eschewing the rigid partisan loyalties to the traditional “R” or “D” alignments, the Forward Party championed the idea that our commonalities far outweigh our differences. This principle, rooted in the pursuit of consensus and legislative progress, offered a beacon of hope—a testament to the potential for American renewal through collaboration and mutual respect.


The Forward Party’s dedication to a transparent, collective approach to governance represents a beacon of hope in an era marked by division and stagnation. Its commitment to pragmatic solutions over partisan allegiance heralds a promising pathway forward, inviting all Americans to partake in a renewed vision of what it means to be an engaged, responsible citizen in a vibrant, evolving democracy. This account not only pays tribute to the enduring legacy of the Greatest Generation but also issues a compelling invitation to embrace the foundational values of cooperation, respect, and shared purpose that constitute the cornerstone of a thriving, unifying society.




Cliff joined the North Carolina Forward Party in its early days, where he volunteered in signature gathering and event hosting, as well as contributing blog pieces on political reform. He is also a member of Braver Angels, an organization dedicated to depolarizing America.

I’m an Indigenous woman of the Ocetí Sakowín people. The US government in it’s 2 party system does not represent me as it s now. I should be able to vote in the primary for who I want. I am so tired of having to declare just to vote for someone I think worthy when I don’t agree with either party’s values and beliefs necessarily.

O


n On my 18th birth anniiversary I

registered to vote as an INDEPEPENT And registered for the military draft lottery at Oneida County Courthouse. Been Indepdent since.

I am an independent voter because I feel republicans and democrats only care about beating one another, money and war… they do not care about major issues like the genocide in Gaza, the environment, schools, infrastructure the medical infrastructure which is horrible and causing more deaths with pregnant women due to roe vs wade being taken away…. Police violence towards non whites…. The drug war which needs to be abolished… we need to legalize all drugs and tax them, and keep them safe for users, homelessness and the 1%…. We need delegates and and a president that actually cares about our country and doesn’t keep this country in non stop wars instead of spending money on the people who vote this people into office!!!!!