Are You Republican or Democrat?

I get asked that all the time by people who should know the answer. I’m NEITHER. I can’t be a Democrat because Democrats today are mostly SOCIALISTS, and I want nothing to do with socialists. I can’t be a Republican because, although I believe many of the same things as do Republicans, I am NOT a “religious fanatic,” and many (not all) Republicans ARE. But enough to keep me from being a “registered Republican.” My question is this: MUST I be one or the other? Can’t I be something else? I could NOT ever vote for a Democrat, but I COULD vote for certain Republicans. But I could NOT vote for other Republicans. That makes me a NON-Republican. But when I vote, I MUST register as one or the other. Why? Why can’t I register as an Independent because I believe differently from BOTH parties? Rush Limbaugh says “Independents (‘middle-of-the-roaders”) are likely to be “road kill” since they can’t make up their minds which side to be on.”

That’s WRONG. There should be a THIRD choice; or even a fourth, or fifth choice, or even more. Why do we have to be either a Democrat or a Republican? I’m a “rational individualist.” I make up MY OWN MIND on EVERY issue. I don’t blindly follow ANY “party line.” Yes, I’m in the minority; but I’m used to that. That’s what happens when your thinking is different from the rest of the world. But what makes one or more of the two parties (whatever their names) right on all issues? Other countries have multiple parties, and their governments work (sometimes), even if some of them ARE socialist in nature. Coalitions are the “name of the game” there, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Way too many people brand me as a Republican because my opinions mostly are the same as are those of most Republicans. But that’s WRONG. I’m NOT a Republican, though I AM more “Republican-friendly” than I am “Democrat-friendly.” There ARE one or two Democrats with whom I agree on many things, but not enough for ANYBODY to think I’m a Democrat. (Just common sense)