A majority of Americans have negative views of the two major parties, and a full 40% consider themselves independents.
This year I voted in the Michigan Republican presidential primary (no point in voting in the Democratic primary) and, I voted in the Democratic primary a week or two ago for all the other offices, as there was a LaRouchie on the ballot who needed defeating. (Michigan splits Presidential primaries away from the rest of the ticket).
I will probably be pulling the Democratic lever in November, but suppressing a gag as I do so.
I don’t care if someone calls me a High Broderist or not. I am heavily against some Obama policies but on balance on the biggest issues I’m slightly more in his column. I am in favor of some Romney policies but on balance slightly more against. That balance is pretty creaky. What I try my best to do is squeak out a grimace and say “in Democracy, compromise is required.” There is no way I could vote my principles this election any way other than with write-in candidates.
Maybe I should rename myself “The Surly Broderist.”
Maybe after the conventions I’ll be able to work up more enthusiasm. Maybe. But maybe, more and more, a majority of us are Broderists. Or a plurality of us, anyway.
Dean Esmay is the author of Methuselah’s Daughter. He has contributed to Dean’s World, Huffington Post, A Voice for Men, Pajamas Media. Neither left nor right wing, neither libertarian nor socialist.