How Independents Can Save the Country

Never in our history has the Independent vote been so crucial.

Independent voters are generally ignored -- politically speaking -- until the last month of an election. But today, unlike any election in the past, they hold the future of this country in their reasoned and sane hands.

Once again, in state after state, county after county, and city after city, Independent voters are given weak and -- in numerous cases -- horrific candidates. Yet again, we are called upon to choose the political direction of this country for the next two years.

Independents in America are angry about what's happening to our country, as angry as the partisan provocateurs who have openly displayed their angst. The Tea Party .

The vocal displeasure of the Tea Partiers has had a major effect on candidate selection in primaries throughout the country. Their anger at incumbents has swept away a number of established politicians in favor of a more raucous but seemingly out-of-touch group of individuals with unrealistic aspirations of changing government. To say the least, Tea Partiers are motivated. That motivation has mostly affected right-wing candidates but may have ramifications on the left side of the aisle on November 2nd.

Control, in fact the direction of this mid-term election, lies in the motivation and the resolve of a more stable, more reasoned, and growing political group -- independents.

Independents have chosen to not be affiliated with either Democrats or Republicans, for good reason.

Generally independents are more moderate, informed, and analytical, possess a better understanding of important issues, are less influenced by lies or fear, and smarter about the qualifications of candidates than their politically biased counterparts.

With so much at stake in this mid-term election it is vital that Independents become motivated to vote, motivated to keep the country going in a positive direction and not allow it to slip back into the destructive policies of the previous 14 years.

Everyone is frustrated with the economy which is probably the most important issue of this election. Unemployment is the huge economic issue confronting us entering this election.

High unemployment could be with us for a long time as a result of years of Republican policies. It is important to remember, though unemployment stands at 9.6%, it would have easily exceeded 12% had stimulus money not saved hundreds of thousands of jobs. Additionally, if unemployment benefits were not extended, which Republicans blocked several times, the economy would be in far worse shape than it is currently.

Job growth is excruciatingly slow but we were losing over half a million jobs per month in the last months of the Bush Administration.

In the two previous elections Independents voted for change realizing the path the U.S. was on was unsustainable. Twelve long years of Republican rule was pushing us closer to Plutocracy and further from democracy.

Despite the Obama Administrations and the Congressional Majority's impotence in bringing about the change we voted for, it is far better than the alternative; returning to the middle-class crushing policies of the Republicans.

Independent voters are rarely distracted by wedge issues Republicans exploit to divert attention from 'real' issues. Independents are also above the campaign rhetoric of Tea Party candidates realizing they are clearly unqualified to govern.

Independents should consider the following as they enter the voting booth:

1. George W. Bush's parting deficit, inherited by Obama, was $1.3 trillion.
2. We were losing over half-a-million jobs each month during Bush's last six months.
3. The bank crisis was a result of failed Republican policies and so was the current mortgage crisis. Unfortunately they were helped by the Democrats.
4. Middle-class wages have been stagnant for more than a decade while upper income grew by over 80%.
5. Healthcare and education costs quadrupled under the Republicans.
6. The housing crisis was a result of Republican deregulation and left the country on the verge of Depression. Unfortunately, the Dems were complicit in passing this highly destructive legislation.
7. Again, the Dems helped the Republicans pass TARP which saved the big banks at the expense of the middle-class.
8. The toll of the Bush Wars, advocated by Republicans, has cost 1,000's of young American's lives and limbs and over $1,000,000,000,000 in treasure.
9. Republicans support billions in bank bonuses and oppose small Cost-of-Living increases for seniors and veterans.
10. Though Democrats have succumbed to corporate influences, Republicans favor corporations over individual rights.
11. And finally, Republicans will lie to return to power.

This election will test the voracity of the Independent voter. In order to save the country Independents must nullify the inane exuberance of the Tea Party.

We cannot, as a nation built on individual freedoms, return to the Plutocratic policies of the GOP; the stratagem that caused the worst financial crisis in 80 years. America will not survive as a Plutocracy.

Independents need to harness their anger, get motivated, go to the polls, and encourage other Independent and Democratic voters to vote.

In the mid-term election Independents must be the intelligent intervenor.