Since I'm unaffiliated, I didn't have anything to say in the primaries. But leading up to the midterms, I want to make a firm, sort-of-public stand.
I'm going to be voting a straight Democrat ticket as a protest vote. Not because I necessarily agree with, or particularly like, all of the candidates. But because I have to vote against the party that can't 100% divorce itself from a very dangerous extremist element. If Trump is allowed to run as a Republican in 2024, I don't trust the 2022 crop of Republicans vying for office to resist his whims. I'll do the same thing in 2024. And he has to be resisted. The last 4 years were absolutely toxic for this country. And Trump probably isn't smart enough to be the architect of some grand plan to sow social upheaval. But he is charismatic enough to be the symbol of people who are. I don't think there's some conspiracy by any group to cause division in America, but I do think Trump attracts people who like to sow, and reap, intolerance and division and anger and fights and in some cases even intra-national war. He's dangerous as a symbol and as an enabler for those who look to undermine the peace in our country for personal power and personal gain.
If the Republican party can ever find it within themselves to remove Trump from its ranks permanently, I'll return to my normal "candidate, not party" voting habits. Until then, I'm voting straight Democrat tickets as a protest. And if it comes down to it, I'll register as a Democrat to help chose the nominee who can best beat Trump..
Update (3 August): I will almost certainly NOT be voting for the new Forward Party. While I appreciate the movement, I'm not sold on their ability to win major races. I know they've cited the fact that about 60% of the American population wants a choice outside of the 2 major parties, based on some sample size of America. One thing missing from that is WHERE this sample size is located. It could be mostly concentrated in 2 or 3 states. Since the American electoral process uses the Electoral College method, this wouldn't really do much for national elections, like a presidential race. In short, I appreciate the effort, but I'm not sold and my comments above haven't changed. I like the idea of a party made up of the leveler heads from the two major parties. And one day I may vote for the Forward Party. But right now, I'm more concerned with making sure He Who Is Orange And Feeble doesn't get back in office. I'm 0% convinced that the Forward Party is ready to be the pothole that can take the wheels of the MAGA train.
Update (3 Sept): Just to be clear, I'd be saying the exact same thing about the Democratic party if it was like Pres. AOC instead of Trump pushing an extremist agenda with the help of top figures in the Dem Party, and she lost an election and she had a bunch of ANTIFA goons rush a government building and she stole top secret government documents etcetcetcetc.... and if the Republicans had more moderate options on the ballot...I promise you I'd be saying "I will never vote Dem until they ditch they AOC agenda. Until then, I will vote a straight Republican ticket."
I don't prefer the Democratic party. As someone who prefers the idea of a population with enough common sense and with enough balance of both a sense of self-responsibility and a sense of communal responsibility that can govern itself.... and as an unaffiliated voter.... all I prefer is a government working for its populations best interests and keeps up with technology and the times.