Ditch your political party

I enjoy when people try to label my political views and fail. Given the hypocritical positions held by the two major parties, I wonder how anyone feels comfortable calling themselves a Democrat or Republican. I agree that one can be a party member without agreeing with the whole spectrum of positions held by that party. Many rational and intelligent Dems and Reps are mavericks, hoping to help pull their party in a certain direction. This is laudable, but I think we are beyond that, certainly at the national level things are just so mixed up I really don't think the labels mean much anymore. It's almost as if it is designed to make Americans think we have a real choice. We need more independents, to force voters to look at the issues and look at where a particular candidate stands on issues that matter. I don't think anyone would doubt that Americans are not paying enough attention to what their Government is doing to them. They pick a party based on some platitudes offered by that party that strikes a nerve with them, and then they are sold. Democrats are soft on crime and love to tax and spend, so I'll be a Republican. Republicans just favor big business and exploit the environment, so i will be a Democrat. The result of this simplistic thinking is exactly what we have today, a detached population and a bunch of rulers all to willing to think short term and look for easy, marketable solutions. So ditch your party, and vote for someone (party affiliated or not) who is flexible, able to criticize and differ with their own party, and willing to rock the boat!