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Independence Day

By NewHampster on March 25, 2009 at 10:05 PM in Current Affairs

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Yes folks! I finally did it. I’ve been saying since last June that I would change my registration to “Undeclared”, the New Hampshire version of Independent, and today I finally had the time.

WooHoo! I’m Free, Free at last

Had me a docs appointment right down the street from Town Hall and I limped in on my bad knee and asked the nice woman if I could change from Democrat to Undeclared. One little form and 30 seconds later, I was freed of the shackles that I’d worn since I first registered to vote in 1972.

I have been a Democrat my whole life and most recently a Vice Chair of the local Dem Committee. I called it chairman of vice but that’s another story.

I also hopped upstairs to get a replacement recycle bin since the duck tape on the 20 year old plastic just didn’t beautify the neighborhood.

So, NewHampster is now an Independent voter and I do like the word Undeclared. It seems to say that I no longer, publicly declare where I stand or how I’ll vote.

Freedom sure feels good.

Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose…

I will always know that I saw Janis live at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT two weeks before she took her final trip. She walked on stage with a 5th of Southern Comfort, put the bottle on the piano and by the end it was empty.

Damn she was good but a lost soul too. Miss you Janis!

March 25 is now Independence Day

Cross posted from my home at Partizane

dani

NH – I feel your bliss. I went indy last year and
it sure feels good!

Dawnelle

Hey New Hampster! About time eh?

My Independence day occurred about a week after the Rules and Bylaws meeting LAST MAY. And it was something I also felt forced to do. I was feeling really dirty being a dem.

I too have been a reg. dem since 74 (although I turned Indie for about 4 years for Perot) lol yes I know.
But returned to the D’s for AL (the whimp in the end dammit)

I doubt I’ll be changing back. It would take more than Hillary running this time. Perhaps if Sarah turned DEM, I’d THINK about it. Good to see you and CONGRATS too!! PUMA W00T!

http://www.marklevinshow.com/ Seattle Moss

Nobody owns me anymore..Independent all the way

Although I do lean to the right now

Ellen D

Undeclared here in California is “Decline to State”. My right knee’s bad too – Doc last month said “lose weight”. Losing weight. knee getting better. Good luck New Hampster!

I’mFedUp

Congrats to you for becoming a true Patriot. God bless you. I am sure you will be happier, and your spirit will no longer be ill from belonging to the most vile, corrupt party in our country’s history.

http://www.marklevinshow.com/ Seattle Moss

Fed Up,
The democrats have been hijacked by the internationalists who wish for retreat and defeat of America in the world.
The democrats have also been overrun by communists and Marxists that have no other place to go.
The bottom line…

I was a democrat for 24 years and a loyal Clintonite until last year when the centrist’s were exiled by the bums.

http://firefox AnnieCollier

Amen, Moss.
FLDemFem

I am still a member of the Democratic Party. I refuse to be run out of it by the hucksters who have taken it over. I intend to stay and bitch and moan until they either go back to being what they are supposed to be, or toss me out on my behind. I am a sixth generation Democrat, we have been Democrats since Jefferson founded the party, and I refuse to be intimidated by these fly-by-night nobodies. I simply will not give my party to them, I won’t. I will wait and fight and get it back to the people who actually understand what being a Democrat really means. This crew doesn’t have a clue, much like their President.

NewHampster

Sorry FedUp but even though I’m Indi I still consider myself a real Democrat at heart.

I may vote for a repub or two again but that party is owned by the only thing worse than fascism, the religious wrong.

I’mFedUp

NewHampster…I didn’t say you were a Republican. I just wouldn’t ever support the DNC and the Dems after what they did in this election. Wasn’t that the point of becoming an Indie? I’m confused, sorry. “Democrat at heart” is fine. But the so called “Democratic Party” isn’t and doesn’t have “heart” which is why I inferred that you changed your affiliation.

I’mFedUp

PS…It’s a little misleading I think to call people who are Republicans “the religious wrong.” I am pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, and very socially liberal. I just don’t want the socialist agenda for us economically, and the destruction of America, that the loony thieves in Congress and the White House are lumping on us.

NewHampster

yes I misunderstood sorry. The DonnaNC is a joke.

I do think any group that can let so-called religion rule it is BS. The religion and abortion angle are only a con to get votes.

as to conservative. the GOP has been anything but since they abandoned things like balanced budgets in favor of personal wars.

I’mFedUp

I would have been happy if Hillary won. In fact, since I never got the CHOICE to choose between two adult, rational politicians, I will NEVER know how I would have voted. I was an Indie too until this mess. I am so sad that I was deprived of legitimate debates between two smart people who like each other. I got shoved a load of crap and, for that, I will never forgive the DNC. Not until they get rid of the people who we know perpetrated this con job. I’m not about “party” whatsoever. I can just say that I would be sleeping a lot better with either Hillary or McCain. Period. This 0Zero thing is just wayyyyyy too out there, dangerous and weird. I never thought I would see this day.

http://www.marklevinshow.com/ Seattle Moss

I would be sleeping a lot better with either Hillary or McCain. Period.

Both were centrists and proud Americans!

http://www.marklevinshow.com/ Seattle Moss

The GOP is going to morph into a new party representing

Liberty and Freedom

Do what you want as long as it doesn’t hurt others

and let me keep some of my money…I earned it!

I’mFedUp

Seattle…I encourage the GOP to get off the getting into people’s personal lives, bedrooms, etc. and really focus on the economy and the prosperity of ALL people in this country. The Dems left that behind a long time ago. I believe if the GOP can leave the social issues behind, then we will be the party of the people. The people that the Dems decided to throw under the bus and piss on.

http://www.marklevinshow.com/ Seattle Moss

Republicans need to be libertarian on the social issues.

I’mFedUp

Yes they do. I myself can’t imagine that in 2009 people are griping about abortions. That’s a big WTF for me actually. As is the gay marriage thing. Stay the hell out of people’s reproductive organs, and bedrooms, and focus on stimulating a dead economy so that people can prosper.

Kim

“The DonnaNC is a joke.” LOL!!! You are too clever NH.

Dawnelle

I totally love that too! Although you were almost TOO nice in the way you typed the word

O’donner blechhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

bill

the religious “wrong”?

That used to be my view point of them. While being a religious Lutheran, I was always very suspicious of the those who openly called themselves Christians and would be considered evangelicals.

Then I ended working w/ a group of them at an English Learning Center and at ministry providing transitional housing. Conservative in their viewpoints and not hesitant about talking about Jesus and God, true. But the most open, accepting and generous people I have met.

I expected them to be judgmental but they accepted and ministered to HIV positive, immigrants, drug addicts and gang members w/ grace and kindness I have never, ever seen within my group of liberal friends. It was unsettling.

They gave more of their time, talent and money in a month than my better off friends (and me) do in a year. Something about serving others as an expectation of the life of the cross (a quote from Bonhoeffer).

So, religious “wrong”? I am not so sure about that anymore.

Scout

Nicely put, Bill.

I’m a liberal lesbian and a practicing Methodist, and I have often found people of faith to be more accepting, more tolerant of other viewpoints, and more charitable than my non-religious lefty friends.

In fact, the differences seem very pronounced lately. Or maybe I am just more sensitized to the prejudice of the left because of the 2008 election.

Dawnelle

It depends if they are true “working” Christians as I consider the word a VERB not a NOUN

ANY old fool or con artist can “CLAIM” to be christian.

MOST have no clue that it’s a working art. Myself being a “backsliding christian” what EVER.

I’ve met true Christian people and you are correct. They do NOT judge (openly) and they do NOT force their religion down anyone’s throat. If they have issues they pray about it they DO NOT GET MEAN AND VIOLENT

NONE of that is Christian.

“Hey look MA I’m a kreeeeeestian”
why? “Cuz I says so, now pass me that Jack will ya? Forget about all those sins I did yesterday. I claim to be a kreeeeeestian so I’m forgiven right?
Now, pass me that gdm whiskey! ” Lets all pray.

pfffft

Ani

I’m with you New Hampster. While I am still a Dem at heart, my hubby and I both declared “undeclared” last year — on June 7th — the day Hillary suspended.

Feels good not to be drinking ANYBODY’S koolaid.

Just the facts, ma’am. Just the facts.

barry bums a ciggie

Congrats. I left the Dem party right after “rulz are rulz” Brazile pull that little stunt awarding the loser 0 with those delegates…and I will NEVER come back again. I feel clean now.
http://firefox AnnieCollier

I, too, washed off the slime of 5/31 by leaving “The Party”. Happily, politically free and independent, like the rest of my life.

http://www.marklevinshow.com/ Seattle Moss

The day I left the party was Feb 19th.

That was also the day I came to NQ after turning off the slime media

I’mFedUp

I no longer watch network television and only watch off network, cable shows. I haven’t watched CNN, MSNBC, etc. forever. I gave up my newspaper subscription and get my news on the net (which is of course the only place now to get any truth). I watch Fox occasionally, although when anyone talks about Obama I start to vomit, regardless of party or point of view. I am glad I found this site, because the only comfort we all have is each other. And the power in our numbers is becoming quite impressive.

http://www.marklevinshow.com/ Seattle Moss

I am glad I found this site, because the only comfort we all have is each other.

I couldn’t agree more!

TeakwoodKite

“Please sir, my have some more?

http://www.marklevinshow.com/ Seattle Moss

I wrote anti-obama posts until my fingers were raw in support of Hillary up until the end.

Scout

Me too. All over the country, internet and newspapers.

http://noquarter foxyladi14

i have still got sore fingers..

alphaBeach

Congrats! Enjoy it.

I did the same before the general election. Imagine my dismay when my ballot showed me still registered as a Dem ! crud. (Portland, OR/Multnhomah county) I also have tried to stop receiving DNC snailmail with no luck.

I don’t care, let them waste their dollars barking up the wrong tree.

WMCB

I still get the mail, too. I send back my donation envelopes stuffed with random stuff and usually a note – let them pay postage for the privilege of being insulted.

alphaBeach

me too. ! My favorite….a lipstick kiss with a note to kiss my @ss.

on a related note, another disgusting phenomenon from primary season…..obama’s print campaign in oregon was just over the top self-indulgent; tabloid sized full color glossy spreads with huge typography. like we’re the northwest, we’ve got trees to kill.

AnneinPA

Still a Democrat, but will change to Republican JUST
for the PA primary to vote against Arlen Specter.

Then…Independent voter registration for me!

I wonder if we’ll ever go back…..?

http://firefox AnnieCollier

Bless you. Specter should retire.

No, I’ll never go back. I finally did after ’68 and it didn’t do a bit of good…well, except for voting for Bill.
http://www.hillaryorbust.com Hillary or Bust

I will register Republican just to vote for Sarah Palin in the next presidential primaries, if she chooses to run.

rw

That’s the best place to be: uncommitted – when it comes to political parties.
TeakwoodKite

New Hampster, welcome aboard.

I have question about rank and file and if you are not alone in the leaving?

18 million people is a lot of energy.

NewHampster

hey Teak. my site like NoQ, is heavy with ex dems

FranSC

Congrats, NewHampster. My political experience sounds a lot like yours – life-long, activist dem. I have not re-registered yet as an independent, but will. I am a liberal, I think(?), at heart. I couldn’t be a repub – the sanctamoneous religious right is quite a turn-off for me as well. On the other hand, I’m also sick to death of abortion and gay/lesbian groups piggybacking or trumping basic women’s rights, aka, Naral, N.O.W. We need the help of conservative women and men that don’t necessarily support the liberal sub-text.

I was reflecting back just today about the fact that Hillary was defeated by **DEMOCRATS** which is still shocking to me. She was hounded daily by **DEMOCRATS** to drop out of the race, while her congressional colleagues (even the ones who supported her!) stood by mute as she endured this and was riped to shreds by the media. This started with Iowa and a year of her being the front runner. I honestly cannot think of a single well-known democrat that I still admire after 2008. In fact, there are many of them that I loathe, hate and despise now. I’m not always crazy about the republicans, but I can tolerate them. Not so with the dems that I have identified with for most of my life. Very sad.

NewHampster

well said. It’s strange but I do not try to force my beliefs on anyone. My only fight now is for women. women candidates of any party and women’s issues. Where I really think things have gone wrong is abortion becoming synonymous with women’s rights. I even think it may have been a trojan horse developed by the wrong wingers. Abortion rights are not women’s rights or a religious issue. It is a societal issue involving all of us.

Women’s Rights are Human Rights.

he’s ducking

arran

We ought to form an “Independents’ club. I’d been a dem for a looooog time, but broke free June 6, 2008. I can now listen to republicans without muting the tv. gosh dern–they have some saleable ideas! Who’d thought it?!

FranSC

I can now listen to republicans without muting the tv. gosh dern-they have some saleable ideas!

I know! 2008 taught me that I had often been very closed minded going with the democrats regardless. I surely learned to think for myself, which was a positive thing.

MrMike

I’ve considered registering as an Indy but figured I could do more damage by voting for the Dem from the Loony Toon branch of the party here in PA. Then during the general, vote straight republican even if it’s Attila the Hun.
http://panmetron.blogspot.com Pan Metron

Welcome to the free road. I left the party when Hopey moved the DNC to Chicago – before he’d even been officially nominated.

Now the left-wing Dems are buying ads bashing hard-fighting centrists. The jackass party is no longer the party of Jackson.

alphaBeach

hi Pan
C’est kj here….with a new handle. Inspired by my spotted friend.

That Chicago maneuver was horrifying and also a galvanizing moment for me. I knew I would never ever vote for the one and support The Machine.

steel magnolia

After being life-long Democrats, my husband and I re-registered as “Undeclared” after the primary this year. I don’t recognize this party anymore. I always thought the Republican Party was the “bad” party and the Democratic Party was the moral, ethical and honorable party, but, boy, did I have my eyes opened this year! I guess there’s none so blind and those who will not see but I had my blinders taken off and it wasn’t pretty – it was quite ugly and sickening. I’ll never look at politics the same way again.
I’m a Linda too

WOOHOO….indeed worth a celebration NH. How about a shot of Makers Mark?

…unless you have a bottle of that Tamnavulin?

It does feel good not to be associated with what the Democrats in power are doing, doesn’t it?

June…I went to pick up my form to fill out and got my car smashed in the rear right in front of the Country Clerk. But have no fear, that will ot deter me! 2 Days later I was back at the scene of the accident bringing our forms back and COMPLETED!

Of the Democrats start acting like Democrats and earn my support, I may consider, but right now I don’t care to be associated with their likes.

Free Free Free Indeed!
Sharon

I was a registered Democrat for 42 years, but after I voted in the primary for Hillary I changed to an Independent. I voted for a Republican for President for the first time. Unbelievable.

alphaBeach

I also voted GOP for first time in my life. It didn’t hurt a bit. But it did cost me friends, including a boyfriend who just could not fathom my disenchantment. “I’ve got kids!” he cried, accusing me of being hawkish and cold. “I need people in Washington who will actually listen to my needs!”

Looks like his kids will have a nice big inheritance down the line….of debt.

steel magnolia

After being life-long Democrats, my husband and I re-registered as “Undeclared” after the primary this year. I don’t recognize this party anymore. I always thought the Republican Party was the “bad” party and the Democratic Party was the moral, ethical and honorable party, but, boy, did I have my eyes opened this year! I guess there’s none so blind as those who will not see but I had my blinders taken off and it wasn’t pretty – it was quite ugly and sickening. I’ll never look at politics the same way again.
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kat in your hat

Buy propecia? he he.

Anyway, I WANT to be Independent/ Undeclared too! I’m a registered democrat, but I don’t want any of these politicians to think they have me in their pocket.

Does is really feel freeing? I thought it might.

judaspriestess

NewHampster!! Congratulations………

I took the plunge last year before the election. I started with “non-partisan” to eventually a registered repuke, lol…. I totally jumped ship. Not super crazy about the rebublican party but I am not miserable being a rebub. The democrat party is so not for me anymore and I am sad to say I don’t see myself ever going back.
lorac

Let’s not forget the MOST FAMOUS “undeclared” : Donna Brazille. (Not that anyone bought that for more than one second!)
elise

NH, thank you so much for the video. God, I love Janice music. She and Billy Holiday are my absolute favorite blues singers. The music goes straight to my heart. Now we can all “Cry, Cry Baby” together which is what I did when on the day that will live in infamy ( 5/31/08 ) and when I left the party on 6/3/08. I hope we, the newly independent, can come up with a plan before the next election.

NewHampster

go to youtube and listen to Susan Tedeschi

elise

Thanks again, NH. That is good music. Some people are born to sing the blues.

so saddened

congrats, nh! and thanks for the clip of janis – one of my all time favs. saw her in person once (in 70?). amazing!

in tx, we don’t register by party. would’ve loved to march in and change from dem to indie, but not an option here.

voted repub for the first time ever in ’08, but fully expect it will not be the last. as long as my former (dem) party is run by the big zero and those like him, i’ll vote for ANYONE who might be able to unseat them. hope the repubs will run someone good against the big zero in ’12, but even if they don’t, they have my vote.
Portia Elizabeth

Hi, New Hampster! I’m a newbie to your state, but loved the experience of the primaries here. I never cared so much before I had the chance to see the candidates up-close-and-personal. I’m on the seacoast, so I’m sure you know it’s been overrun with liberals escaping Massachusetts.
I thought I knew what a Democrat was because I thought I was one.(Until last year cleared that up for me.) I’m still registered as a Dem because I can’t see myself as a Rep. even though I voted McCain/Palin. Since my senator is a Dem. (Shaheen) and my congressman (Shea-Porter), I want to stay in the party if only to help defeat them in the next election.
But if Hillary ever forms her own party, I’ll be a proud standard bearer.

NewHampster

I cannot imagine being anywhere else during the primaries. When I retire I swear I’ll come back to work the primary.

abycat

I did it last May. I know how you feel. I am so glad to say I am not a Democrat!
Sassy

Congratulations New Hampster!
I was an active, outspoken democrat since 1962, in the tradition of my ancestors.
Unlike many of you, I will be voting republican or declining to vote.
Reviewing my past votes has caused me a great deal of consternation, for I was blinded by prejudice.
The stench of the current administration is hard to overcome, and I regret staying with losers for so long!
JRD

I joined the Republican Party and never looked back. The evangelicals are on the fringe. Roe v Wade is NEVER going to be overturned. That is just garbage to keep women enslaved to voting Democrat. The democrats don`t give a damn about women, they proved it in the last election. The Repubs just get to use the evangelicals to vote for them just like the dems do with women. I`d rather side with the evangelicals then the Soros communist`s any day of the week. I`ve met plenty of gay patriots in the repub party and the evangelicals I`ve met WALK THE WALK when it comes to helping the needy. Sarah Palin is an evangelical. She is entitled to her opinion regarding abortion but she isn`t going to do anything to enforce it. Rudy Guliuani is pro choice. You can be pro choice and in the repub party. You don`t have to agree with them on everything. The most important thing to me is to be free. The dems are no longer liberal. They are progressive. AND PROGRESSIVE MEANS COMMUNIST. George Soros is the head of the democrat party and I hate the ba$tard. He is reponsible for the financial meltdown. His pals the Sandler`s are also (Golden State S&L.) Soros used Schumer to start everthing with Indymac. Now Soros owns it. He did the same thing purchasing Soviet assets for next to nothing during Glasnost. I hope the pig dies the most painful death. He killed the democrat party. Soros made $1.1 BILLION LAST YEAR. Check out the article in the UK Daily Mail entitled I`m having a good economic crisis. The pig is the devil if there us such a thing.

I’mFedUp

JRD…I couldn’t have said it better myself. And those are all the reasons why I am proud to have changed to Republican and will never, never look back. Another reason is that I love America. Democrats hate America and want to “change” it. I think they should move elsewhere and let those of us who love our country enjoy it. I get so sick of liberals pissing on this country with their hate and negativity that my head explodes. I have gone to GOP meetings, conventions, etc. and the largest thing everyone in the room has in common is sheer patriotism and love of America. The so called progressive commies do nothing but whine about other people having money, whine about every single thing America represents in the world, etc. Yawn. America, love it or get the HELL out. Period.

Judy L. NC

Heartiest congratulations! Great song to commemorate the occasion. The coolest thing about it is that there’s (well, for me) no guilt in tossing the solicitations in the trash. Hell, THEY should pay ME.

In NC we call it “unaffiliated” or “UNA” on my voters registration card. I’ve blissfully been UNA for 15 years. (Born to & raised by yellow dog Republicans but I could never forgive them (Orin Hatch and Arlan Specter) for the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings. And Bill was SO easy to love. . .
tricia spiegel

I’m doing it also! Thanks for the encouragement. As a lifelong Democrat–and very active in the party–it’s a hard decision. But I am disappointed beyond words in the Democratic party and the alternative is unacceptable.

Michael Bloomberg–PLEASE start a third party!
Sassy

Tricia-I too would have liked to see Bloomberg make a run…until he signed on with Princess Caroline, and now praises BO!
In the future, my efforts will be toward having my vote count, therefore I will be going with the strongest Republican in the pack!
beachnan

Congratulations Hampster. I consider myself Independent, even though I am still registered Democrat. I don’t believe that Obama will have a stronghold on the Democratic Party in a few years, because he is a disaster. Just like many of the Republicans turned their back on the party this year, and either didn’t vote, or voted Dem, I believe that at the rate Obama keeps screwing up, many more Dems, besides many on this site, will turn their back Obama. It seems like a perfect time for a third party, considering so many Dems and Republicans feel disenfranchised.
Karma

Congrats!

Hope your knee gets better….and speaking of medical care.

Just heard the last bit of Obama’s Q and A session and a question about medical insurance for pre-existing conditions comes up so he tells his mom’s cancer story again. But somehow in this version she comes out ok on this fight with the industry…hard fought…but she gets approved. Not sure I remember the approval ending in other versions…but it stood out either way.

Anyway, then Obama starts giving the props to the health care industry for making moves on the single payer solution to resolve this probelm of accepting pre-existing conditions. Of course, Obama ends the spiel talking about how he was against it during the election cycle because the cost to sign up. That people don’t have insurance not because they don’t want it…but the cost. Which I guess is his subtle way of highlighting his ‘cost saving’-online medical records-theft of privacy-solutions. Not sure.

The whole thing seemed like some weird sympathy play which he helped to battle with his mom for these procedures while taking a couple of subtle jabs at Hillary. In other words….it was a campaign stop with the real Presidential Seal in the background.

Sorta o/t as well…but today Drudgereport had a link to this website with free streaming concerts using Hendrix as a lure.

So in honor of your Independence Day I peeked if they had a Janis concert.

http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/arr/janis-joplin/3173.html

One at the Fillmore and another at the Fillmore East. Hope you can enjoy it.

NewHampster

woohoo

madamsecretaryofstatehrc

I have been registered “No Party ” since 1995. I love the freedom. Although I loved some Democrats “Bill & Hillary”, for example, I always thought that the Democrats were spineless and cannibals. Is that the right word? They eat their own is what I want to convey.

I always said that I would never vote for a Republican because they were heartless and did not care about the “have-nots”. That has changed with McCain & Palin.

To all those who changed to “Independent” “Undeclared” etc. welcome aboard.
http://noquarter foxyladi14

keep the faith folks,,we the people will prevail..
congratulations New Hamster.it,s great to be free..
DeniseL

Well, I’m a Republican anyhow. But, I wonder, why don’t you guys/gals try to reform the stupid caucus system? That would be more productive and that’s the only reason Hillary didn’t make it.