Over the past few days I've taken some time to think about the rebuke I received from the Kossack community and this has led me to a decision regarding where I stand politically. It's taken me a long time to get here and to be honest, I wouldn't be writing this if I hadn't received the heat that I had that day. I'll explain a little back story below the orange calligraphy.
My Life as an Independent
I had been registered as an Independent (No Party Affiliation) since the day I turned 18. I'm not sure why I did it, but despite that I voted Democratic in most elections (including in 2010). But there is one election year that I can now say I honestly regret: 2008. You see, during that election season, I had considered many independent candidates for the presidency (including a certain Texas congressman who shall remain nameless). At the end of the day, I voted for Ralph Nader.
To be honest, that decision had a lot to do with John Kerry flip-flopping during the 2004 election debates. I did vote for him despite my feelings, because I also felt that Bush was the worst thing to happen to this country since Reagan. I was frustrated with his loss, and swore I'd never vote Democrat again, if I could help it, that is.
So in 2006, I voted for an independent for governor of Florida (along with Democrats in the house and senate) as a way of venting my frustrations, and I did the same in 2008 with the presidency, as I explained earlier. I was mainly frustrated with the hype regarding voting in the first black president of the United States because while it did say a lot about where we are socially, I couldn't help but feel that it was distracting from what really needed to be addressed, but I realize now that it was an ignorant move on my part.
Leaving the Independents Behind
I guess this is all a part of growing up. With that being said, I'm leaving the Independents for good and joining the Democrats instead. Perhaps this has something to do with a comment explaining that the purpose of this site is to 'elect better Democrats'. To this end, I'd like to offer my help in doing so, no matter how small that help may be. I realize that this move on my part will be met with a lot of skepticism, and rightly so, but I'd like the community to know that this decision was a long time coming. I just wish I had realized this sooner.
See you around,
Homer