What are you anyway?

I find it intersting to think that the average American feels compelled to paint themselves into a corner when it comes to your political identification. I did myself until 2005. I was a card carrying Republican and was sure that was what I was "supposed to be." After all, I do have a strong opinion about abortion and the sanctity of life. (another topic for another day) Since Democrats are usually pro-choice and Repubs pro-life, You can guess where my allegiance fell. After all it is a Republic not a democracy right? I soon became incensed with the two parties and unregistered myself from any political party affiliation.



I was asked today if i am not a Rebulican or a Democrat then am I Libritarian. I then thought I should clarify so you know if you are reading a commy's blog or not.

Can I be honest with you? I don't want to be any of them.

I didn't live back in the "good old days" when it was "cool" to be patriotic-but I wish I did. I would have loved to have been a soldier as they came home from Germany and seen the ticker-tape parades of the 40's. I would have loved to feel that Americana, that sense of pride and accomplishment as a nation.

I was in Austria on 9/11 and for the few months following the attacks, I heard of the patriotism in the States and even saw a little when I returned in 2002. Why does this ever have to disappear? Looking through my rose colored glasses, i don't even understand why it requires a terrorist attack to make us all realize that we need each other.

I guess what I am getting at is this---Politics are politics and I am not ever going to be able to change that. There will always be the party system that bickers and squabbles back and forth until eventually nothing gets done. However, I can still dream of a time when perhaps there will be another option. Until then, when asked what I am, I will simply answer I am an American. That should be enough shouldn't it?