I transitioned parties 33 years ago this month. I had done it a few years earlier as well. Twice in 15 years. Something woke me in 1989 and made me consider that perhaps things wouldn’t smell as bad in the middle. So I made the transition for the second time.
Once you make the decision to cut off from both sides, and not be beholden to either one, it’s refreshing. Gallup says that about 43% of voters have transitioned since 2004. Though we in the middle are increasing in numbers, we are still very much oppressed by the two major parties. Oppressed by not being able to vote in primaries, or the blatant systemic oppression of our candidates, facing discrimination in getting on ballots, fundraising, media attention or debate inclusion.
It’s time we demand reparations for having to vote for the “least worst” as put forth by the two controlling parties. Reparations for making us live with the extremes of both these monolithic, entrenched, corrupt parties. Periodically, they “tease” at taking their foot off the throats of independents, but then, like most campaign promises, it’s forgotten.
Why should they back off? They have millions of drones aligned with them, regardless of their actions. Blind allegiance to party trumps all. Facts and common sense be damned.
Let’s see. A magic-pill-pushing carpetbagger, or a non-tax-paying, prison-emptying radical socialist (or so say the ads). So it’s back to the least worst — or don’t vote at all. Talk about voter suppression. Well, here it is!
Tim Kaczmarek
Natrona Heights