Independence Days Ahead

I feel like I’m outside myself, watching a transformation of my political beliefs. I watched the Independent ticket town hall on CNN this evening, with Governors Gary Johnson and William Weld. I agreed with so much of what they had to say. Their insistence that compromise is absolutely necessary rang true with me. Their positions about issues as far-flung as marijuana and the use of force in Afghanistan mirrored my own. Yet I was concerned. Deeply concerned.

Though I found myself utterly at odds with them on fiscal issues, it wasn’t that political split that bothered me. It was the fact that I think they are likely to attract a lot of Democrats, many more than Republicans. And what that means is that Hillary Clinton, a woman with whom I have several enormous philosophical differences, will suffer. If Gary Johnson and William Weld had a snowball’s chance in hell of winning, I might vote for them. But they don’t. Not this year. The Independent Party hasn’t developed a sufficiently robust machine to make it happen. Instead, they will likely pull Democrats away from Clinton. Which would give Donald Trump the White House.

If Hillary Clinton wins in November, I will be deliriously relieved. But thereafter I will devote my political energies to a third party, perhaps the Independent Party. I am tired to the point of sickness of the Democratic Party’s platform as opposed to its performance. I think the Democratic Party, just like the Republican Party, has sold out to money. Neither party represents the citizenry, though the Democrats are far closer. But both should fear a strong, centrist movement that accepts compromise, values humanity, and places corporations far down on the list of entities that matter.

About John Swinburn

"Love not what you are but what you may become."― Miguel de Cervantes
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One Response to Independence Days Ahead

  1. If Trump wins, as a result of the Independent candidates, my support will disappear. And so will I. I will try, if it’s possible, to leave this country if Trump is elected. His election would spell the end of American democracy, whether he morphs into a dictator or not.

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