(03-06-2025, 03:34 PM)Jag149 Wrote: Well said. I talked at length to a Democrat running for election last year before the election. He was a nice guy, not unlike any other person I have met. My basic question to him was given a choice between following the Democratic opinion or representing his constituents which would he choose. This topic took the majority of our time. Eventually he broke down and told me he would have no choice but to follow the Democratic party's decision.  Going against it was political suicide and would be remembered forever and not be forgiven. He would be replaced first chance they got. Maybe not the next term but when they could be sure they held his seat. We saw the effects of this during Trump's last speech.

I prefer to vote for candidates that represent my area. I know there is give and take but the rigidity of the Democratic party has become off putting in my opinion. By default the other party has been getting my independent vote. Please do not confuse that with the party called "independent" as I am not a member of any party.