GUEST,Casual Observer said “Why should I have to choose one or the other when I think they are both idiotic?”

Well of course they're both idiotic! But that is partly because thoughtful people refuse to participate. It's the parties that generate the platforms and the candidates. If you want decent candidates and responsible issues, get involved in a party. Knock on doors, get out mailings, ask tough questions of people who desire to become candidates and then, when the caucus or primary election is held to choose the candidate, show up, cast your vote, and work to make sure like minded people do the same. The party process isn't that mysterious or difficult; like a lot of life, most of it is just showing up. But to do this, you must register as a party member. You don't have to change your ideas or even agree with the dorks running the party. Pay your dues, hang around and before you know it, you'll be running your local party. It ain't that tough.

Voting independent is a luxury we can ill afford at this time. Sure if you're presented with a well educated reasonable sounding Republican running for Congress against a Democrat who seems like another entrenched hack, you're tempted to go for the Republican. But the reality is that the new Republican will wind up as an errand boy for the neocon junta and only adds to their power instead of providing the reason and balance you were hoping for. If you're serious about wanting change, you either have to be in party politics or you must have your own military-industrial complex. If you're just going to remain “above the fray” until someone makes things better for you, you'll be up there a very long time.

      - Mark