Independence

Dictionary.com defines Independent as

Not governed by a foreign power; self-governing.
Free from the influence, guidance, or control of another or others; self-reliant.
Not determined or influenced by someone or something else; not contingent.

Independent describes me pretty well.

A guy on a Democratic blog the other day said that in working with electing candidates he has to sign off on an agreement to support the candidate whether his views conflict with the party or not.

How does this differ from Bush locking dissenters out his "town hall" meetings?

It doesn't.

The Dems talk a game of inclusion but the national party hasn't done one thing to step out and say, "We support and fight for full equality for all American citizens irregardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation." They don't do it because they don't have the balls to do it.

The Republicans call themselves the "Big Tent" party but all they really do is ignore minorities and actually develop programs to regulate minorities to not just the back of the bus but to put us UNDER the bus.

This same Democratic guy says we have to just get some Dems into political seats to turn the tide. That would be nice, but the last time we did that Clinton passed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and DOMA. That's what we get for having just ANY Dem in a political seat.

I hear the term "political football" when discussing gay rights. I was thinking about that this morning as I got ready for work. I could visualize gay rights as the football that Republicans keep intercepting. Everytime the ball is snapped, the Dems run the other way. They're scared of being tackled with the football of gay rights in their hands so they'll fumble or pass it off for an interception. What we need are some burly, mean linemen that aren't scared of getting hurt! We need a running back that will take that football, tuck his head down, and barrel through to the end zone. We need people willing to get dirty for the cause.

If that's too much to ask, put the ball on the 50 yard line and walk over and join the other team. There's no point in being a Democrat or liberal if you have no more conviction than that and we don't need you on our team because all you do is run us in circles and cause more harm than good.

I call myself Independent because I have no place to go. The Republicans are an obvious no possibility and the Dems haven't stepped up to the plate.