Absolutely, but be careful to assure that you are registered as NPA (No Party Affiliation). Here in Florida, there is a party called the Independent Party, and you could be registered as a member if you don't make it clear the you do not wish to be registered to any party.

I'm right there with you sister! When our local treasury here was overflowing because our local gov't overtaxed us, I wrote to my legislator. I asked for our money back. He, I kid you not, told me: it's our money now! rated.

I think it's gonna take a little more than simply registering as an independent. We need a serious third party option to create a serious level of competition in politics. For a country that prides itself on competition breading success, we do a terrible job of using this mantra in the political realm. But nice sentiment either way.

Be well.

Rated.

I actually tried to change my party affiliation, but they sent me a letter saying that I couldn't change until after some special election. I don't know what difference it really makes when I change, as long as it's not around the time of any primaries. So, now I'm not sure what to do. Will they hold my request until it can be changed, or must I complete the stupid form again?

I wish they'd get rid of parties altogether, and allow everyone who wants to run a place on the ballot. Maybe then we'd actually get someone interested in getting things done, rather than getting re-elected. With the current trend, a one-term limit wouldn't even help, as the current official is limited by their party in what they can do so that they will not anger the voters and effectively ruin the chances of the next guy.

We should be able to get specific issues on the national ballot.

And a question, as I read the first comment. As I understand it, you are planning to change your affiliation from Democrat to Independant, not unaffiliated? Or am I mistaken?

I'd like to hear more about your thoughts on the war on drugs and marijuana legalization; also about what you may be doing to help effect these changes so that others can follow your lead in their own areas.

Aaron,

The Independence party is a viable third-party option. More viable than any others have been up until now, anyway, especially with respected Lieberman signing up. And it's growing as voters become dissatisfied with the standard, uninspiring but electable options regularly put forth by the Dems and Reps.

The Independence party can provide the competition; all it needs is voters.

Hi Wayne, being a clueless Democrat all these years, I didn't know that Independent was actually a party. I guess it would have the same effect as NPA in terms of being the object of "woo" (as in the other parties will woo me).

Deborah, I hope you told the legislator that there is no "our" vs. "your" or did the person never hear of government of, by and for. Were you able to vote the creep out of office?

Aaron, I do believe in a third party option, but wonder how that will happen with the Big Two so entrenched. My thought actually was, if we all disaffiliate from the major two parties, that, in itself, would clear the way for a viable third party.

Sick of Stupid (and boy am I ever, too!) I guess I should have said, non-affiliated. Actually, forgive me, but I personally dislike Leiberman enough not to want to be in any party of which he is a member. I don't know much about the Independence Party, though I am all for having a lot of choices. I do like the Green Party's position about drugs, civil rights, and freedom of choice. As to my thoughts on the War on Drugs and marijuana, it would take a whole new post to elaborate on that, and I have been mostly writing about this subject on my blog. But in 25 words or less, I believe the WOD is a tool of oppression. It is a war against consciousness and free thought. It uses the might of the nation against its own citizens. It is the cause of 95% of the problems associated with drugs. It is driven by profit motive. It has nothing to do with public welfare (you can buy guns in Kmart - and the sole purpose of guns is to kill things). I would recommend anyone interested in this subject to go to the LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) website, and read up. These are guys from the trenches of the WOD, and what they say carries a lot of weight. Thanks for the inspiration, I think I know what my next blog post will be.

Thank you, everyone for your input. I have changed the title of my piece to reflect your thoughtful comments.

exactly! well, almost. tell every politician and newspaper you're voting against office-holders, until you get citizen initiative legislation.

the result will be the power to demand performance of what the people want, not just what lobbyists and insiders want.

Realizing the Democratic party is Republican lite is half the battle. monkey fingered.

SOS, I would say that the Independence Party is a viable in Connecticut, but there was no candidate on the ballot here in Michigan for any political post. So I would say that they are not viable. I don't know what the rest of the country gets though, so I could be wrong.

Brinna,

I helped coordinate a third party Congressional campaign in Illinois while I was in college. There was an incumbent Republican congressman who was running unopposed for the second consecutive time. It started with the mandatory 5000 signatures of registered voters in the district (we got 8000), the fight over the subsequent signatures and then having your voice effectively shut out the conversation by the ruling parties and the media. Once we had ballot access, the Democrats threw up a sacrificial lamb of a candidate to make sure that we didn't get 5% of the vote and automatic ballot access for the next election. We were granted no interviews by any television syndicates, nor were we allowed to participate in any debates. It was a very tough pill to swallow, but it seems that the political powers that be will claim competition is the way to success, and then destroy any competition with their power. The greatest double standard I seen of our political system so far. So I guess I'm jaded, but I don't think we are anywhere near a viable third party option with major revamping and subsequent enforcement of fairness rules in media for such an option. Otherwise, they get run out of the park before the game even begins.

Brinna,

I was a long time republican about 8 years ago, I voted for Nixon instead of Humphrey because Humphrey wanted to expand the Vietnam War and Nixon promised to end it. But that is another story.

I switched to the libertarian party. Not that I agree with all the platforms of the party, but what this country needs is a strong third party to interject new ideas, break the two party deadlock and make both parties more responsible to the people they claim they represent. The reason both democrats and republicans vote for the continued war on drugs is because they think it is the more popular position. Until they see it will cost them more votes and money they will not change. And frankly both parties don't care because they think everything is sown up in their favor. A strong third party will end that. If the people have a true viable choice they may reject both republican and democrat candidates. That will force them to change.

The libertarian party has been against the war on drugs since the beginning.

I told the republican party the same thing when they called for a donation, that I do not support them because they are out of touch with the American people on the major issues that are important to me.

Their response was are you going to vote democrat,

I said no libertarian.

I'm also starting to seriously wish for a third party. The extremists on both sides make me feel powerless and crazy. Any nominations for a name? Maybe RAM - for Rational Americans? Built in mascot with that one! Rated.

Annetta2009,

There are two movements The centrist party and Libertarians who are moving towards the idea of a strong third party. WE collectively have to get over the idea that voting non democrat or republican is throwing a vote away. Keeping the same people in office is throwing the vote away. Remember it only takes 34% to win when there are 3 viable candidates. Neither the republicans of democrats can win with just their base, they need the swing voters who are 40-60 percent of the voters. What if that 40-60% said wait a minute I am not going to give them my vote this year.

A moronic response to your statement, but who does the moron work for? Likely DCC outsources their calling for contributions. This is not a reasonable excuse for the stupid answer, only an explanation.

My first presidential election as a voter was Carter / Reagan. Been a registered "D" ever since. In my state you cannot vote in a primary unless you are registered to a party.

Change has less to do with politicians than with social and economic conditions. Just as current economic conditions have brought new marijuana legislation to the forefront, it will accelerate the growth of alternative political parties. Apathy gets forced aside when not giving a shit is no longer an option.

I agree, Al, developing strategies for breaking the unresponsive two party stranglehold on national politics is paramount.

Alas, BBE, I am beginning to believe you are right.

Good for you, Aaron, for your work on third party initiatives! And good point about competition in the political realm.

Your right, M Todd, both the Libertarian and the Green party have been consistently against the War on Drugs. I was always conflicted about voting for them on a National level, because I didn't want the Republicans to win.

Thanks for the comment, Annette, I like your marketing approach to politics. The question is, of course, are there enough rational Americans to vote for a RAM party?

What you say might be true, sg2292, although the fellow identified himself as a Democrat. But maybe he was just saying that. By the way I love your line: Apathy gets forced aside when not giving a shit is no longer an option.

Brinna,

That is the fear both the republican and democrat party has held over the heads of the voters. If you look at the voting record of both parties (despite the rhetoric) they both voter pretty much the same way. Since 1960 both parties have been responsible for wars, out of control spending, and perpetuating the war on drugs.

Reagan may have coined the phrase war on drugs, but under the Clinton administration there were more marijuana arrest. Bush continued the policies that Clinton.

In America we have been brain washed into thinking the two party system is the best bet, but in most western countries there are multiple parties that have to build a coalition between parties to govern. We have to stop thinking voting third party is a wasted vote.
For me the most viable party that has a chance of breaking this democrat/republican deadlock is the Libertarian party.

Libertarians advocate a two fold message. Less government and more individual freedom coupled with more personal responsibility and self reliance.

A libertarian view point on drugs is you are free to take them, but you are responsible for the outcome. If you abuse them you pay not someone else. If you break the law or cause harm to others you will be arrested for the crime not the drugs.