politics
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"independent" rarely means leftist. It usually means "Republican but not proud to wear the label", like libertarian.
Thats not true. Partisans don't understand how true Independents think about politics. Often they think Indies are Centrists, or wishy washy Conservatives or Democrats. I've been an Unafilliated Independent since I first registered to vote in 1977. I have voted Republican, Democratic, and 3rd party, but I have always voted. Being an Unafilliated Independent means that I have ALWAYS had to choose the lesser of two evils.
I don't choose my positions on issues based on my party affiliation, like party members do. I choose my positions based on my research, and my determination as to the best solution to solve the problem, no matter which side of the spectrum that falls. Sometimes its on the right (death penalty, guns, etc.), and sometimes its on the left (abortion, social safety nets, etc.).
Most often, including the issues I just mentioned, I am somewhere in a grey area, supporting positions that aren't even on the table, but would make more sense that those that the parties supports, which tend to be based more on whatever will attract votes, rather than whatever will work best.
For instance, I think we should preserve the Death Penalty, but it should be extremely rare, and used only for the most heinous crimes, such a serial murderers or child torture murderers, and even then, only when the guilt is not in dispute in any way. It should be used only a handful of times a decade. Guns should be legal, but have guardrails like a 21 yo ownership age, training for concealed carry, and limitations on military style weapons, high capacity magazines, etc. Abortion should be easily available in the first trimester, and very difficult in the final trimester.
Its hard to occupy positions outside of the mainstream, because its much harder to navigate nuance, and many people dont have the Critical Thinking Skills to have confidence in their own decisions. Its much easier to listen to what your party wants, and choose to adopt their position.
Overall, I make my choice for President (and other offices) based on which candidate I believe is going to be a move America in a Constructive direction, which is why I often refer to myself as a Constructive Unafilliated Independent. These days, I am only voting for Democrats, because there is no Republican Party, and the MAGA Party is the most treasonous, seditious, corrupt, most Destructive party in American history, and I will not vote for anyone who supports them in the slightest way, and that includes weak-willed Democrats who vote for MAGA legislation or appointments.
After Harris went AWOL after the election I now consider myself an independent leftist, I don’t belong anywhere right now, dems hate that I think is bullshit harris isn’t leading a resistance and I’m obviously not conservative, at all, so… I’m an independent for right now, I think a lot of people are right now but haven’t embraced it.
Ditto on Harris. This shows that she wouldn’t have been a good leader. My eyes are on AOC now.
I've been calling myself an independent since the election.
I would consider myself one as well, but there's not that many of us