Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I am changing my voter registration for the last time. For quite a few years I have been registered as an Independent. Last fall, I changed to Republican in order to support Ron Paul. It was simple to do, and I have no regrets. It was merely a formality.

I cannot, however, confidently called myself a Republican. My parents were life-long Democrats. I dallied with the idea of registering as a Libertarian which is where I think I more than likely fit in the most. But in the end, I think I have finally realized that my anathema towards organized parties in general got the better of me. I just cannot fit neatly into one party’s agenda and do not have the patience to argue for or against the particulars of a platform.

I am not gay, but I support gay rights. I do not smoke pot nor am I a prostitute, but I support the decriminalization of both activities. I loathe abortion, but support freedom of choice. I believe strongly in the principles of the Constitution. I watch in horror at the rise of the nanny state. I favor a minimalist government, and probably most forcefully I demand accountability in government both fiscally and ethically. Other than that, I just want to be left alone.

I voted for Republican Bush in 2004. I voted for Democrat Bryon Short in the District 7 special election last year. In the Delaware Governor’s race, I could just as easily vote for a Democrat, as a Republican, Libertarian, or Independent. I would lean towards a Republican due to fiscal issues, but that assumption has become blurred in the past, and I no longer trust all so-called Republicans to live up to the traditional ideas of fiscal conservatism, so it will all depend on who is remaining after the primaries. I will make my decision then.

Although I will not be able to vote in primaries, I will be free to support who I think is the best candidate without the burden of partisan dogma and the associated bullshit that comes with it.

My impatience with organizations of different sorts perhaps come from my task-oriented, project-management, geeky, control-freak nature. I am too easily frustrated by people with personal agendas and the inherent inability of organizations to take decisive action.

I have seen independents in the motorcycle rights community have more of an effect than some of the so-called organized associations. There is Garry VanKirk in Arizona, creator of Bikers Accident Survivor Forum, M-A-D-D Ray Henke in California, creator of Motorcyclists Against Dumb Drivers, Bruce Arnold in Florida, author of Long Distance Rider and moderator of Bruce-N-Rays Biker Forum, and fellow bloggers “rc” and “Sam”. Independents all. Action-takers all. They are doers, and don’t have the constraints of formal structure. They say that organizing a bunch of bikers is like herding cats. It’s true of bikers, and probably just about any other group. I have seen many die from either stagnation or internal strife.

There are times when the auspices of an official organization have their advantages. These I will take within reason. Just don’t ask me to be a cheerleader for a cause I don’t believe in, don’t stick your platform down my throat, and don’t expect me to agree with everything you espouse.

I have a tee-shirt from a motorcycle outfit. On the back it says,

“Never underestimate those who remain independent.”

So, I’ll be bugging the Department of Elections one more time to change my registration back to Independent. I think it will be my last.