Is being an “Independent” a Good or a Bad Thing?                     

By Michael Brigmond, an independent thinking Republican

Some say they are not registered with any political party because they do not want to be bound or committed to either party; they like to think for themselves and make their own choices. That all sounds good; but how does registering with a political party diminish one’s ability to think or to make personal choices? It doesn’t.    

Because Florida is a ‘Closed Primary’ state, those who are registered as “Independent” or “No Party Affiliation” cannot vote in a partisan primary, and so have no influence over which candidates will be on the ballot. Our community and our nation are in trouble politically, economically, and morally. Current problems cannot be solved simply by voting at the polls. Too often the choices presented on Election Day fall into the “lesser of two evils” category. The most powerful impact an Independent thinker can have is to assist in the process of determining which candidates appear on the ballot. Working within the party to identify, recruit and train qualified citizens to run for public office and helping to weed out those candidates who are less desirable are two ways of making a positive difference. When you think about it, the Independents are actually dependant upon the political parties to make their choices for them.

The ones who are truly thinking for themselves affiliate with the party that is most closely aligned with their own personal preferences. If you are concerned about taxes being too high, government being too big; too intrusive; and social morals in decline, then the Republican Party is where you can make an impact. So be a true Independent thinker, register as a Republican and maximize your influence in the political process where it really counts.