The Perils of Political Independence

It's not easy being a political independent during an election year. Everything you say ends up pissing somebody off. Most years, we can drift from group to group, pleasantly agreeing with what the extremists say because, after all, we are reasonable and we can usually find a grain of truth in even the most out-there arguments. More important, even the extremists are laid back during off years, and they don’t get too indignant when we say something that might otherwise infuriate them.

Election years change all that.

Take Barack Obama. The good senator gave a marvelous speech last week. He elucidated the problems of many minorities in this country, the resentments of many in the “majority” (NB: aren’t white people a plurality these days?), and he did his best to deflect attention from the ultra-incendiary Reverend Wright by imploring that the American public engage in a true dialogue. Imagine that! A true dialogue -- every Independent’s dream!

When I told my friends I loved Obama’s speech, I got two basic responses:

1. “Obama is a brilliant man and he is the one who can restore America’s dignity throughout the world. I'm so glad you are on our side!”
2. “You actually fell for that speech? Sure, Obama knows how to give a good speech, but the fact is he embraces a racist minister. I can’t believe you fell for that snake oil. Obama doesn’t care about change, and he doesn’t care about a true racial dialogue; he just wants to take the attention offered his own race problems.”

The first response was clearly given by Obama supporters. No surprise there. The second response is slightly more surprising: sure, conservatives were shocked that I had been hoodwinked. But Hillary supporters were equally, if not more angry at Obama’s words.

Here is a direct quote from a chat I had last week with an ardent Hillary supporter:

“The man promotes tolerance of another man who has basically advocated the overthrow of the government — I hardly think Obama’s speech was enough. I just think that if Obama were the Uniter he claims to be, he would have disassociated himself with that church and that crazy preacher a long time ago. And it makes me question his judgment. Some of you Obama people are maniacs and deluded.”

I had to remind my friend that I am a registered independent and not necessarily an “Obama supporter.” But when we independents express support for anything — any position, any candidate’s speech, any progressive or conservative idea — we’re guaranteed to be attacked by one of the extremes.

Especially during a vitriolic presidential campaign year. Nowhere is safe! The Left and Right hurl their talking point bombs at each other, everyone dodges each other’s points instead of listening and debating… and here we are, stuck in the middle, getting pelted by both sides.

Nobody wants to listen. Nobody wants to engage in a dialogue. Nobody, that is, except Independents.

That’s why I created IntelligentIndependent.com. There are plenty of sites out there aimed at crazy conservatives, and plenty aimed at crazy liberals — but where are the sites for all us crazy independents?

This will be a site for the oddball who is not only passionate about politics, but passionate about lively, spirited debate — and passionate about solutions, no matter which side introduces them.

Conservatives are right: sometimes the free market is the answer. Sometimes government intrusion is the problem.

And liberals are right: Sometimes corporate greed is harmful. Sometimes government assistance is the answer.

Politically independent doesn’t mean politically boring. Politically independent does not necessarily mean politically moderate. Politically independent means politically thoughtful. It means listening to all sides of an argument, exploring the length of the political spectrum, and only then making an informed decision.

Political independence means political intelligence. Let the intelligent independent discussion begin.