I hoped the Republican party would rein in the far right kooks. They have not.

Until the two parties start acting like adults, give them a time out. Switch to being an independent voter. Make the politicians and their funders work for your vote.

This week, I switched back to being an independent voter.

After college, I was briefly  registered as a Democrat. Long before, the Red Pill and #Walk away phenomena, I switched to being an independent voter.

When I moved to Eureka, I was registered as an independent but switched to the Republican party for the last few years. I have always voted for the candidate I like regardless of my party affiliation. I am not a single issue candidate.

Many people took personal and financial risks to vote for an "outsider", the Republican nominee, in the 2016 election.  This included people from different political parties, ethnicities and the lgbt community. Economics was a major factor in that decision.

While I still agree with many core beliefs of the Republican party on law and order, legal immigration, economics; I no longer wish to associate with a party that allows the far right to define what it means to be a Republican and a conservative.

Despite having control of the White House, the Senate, the House, the Republicans have gone back to the failed strategies of allowing the far right to dictate the party.

I debated switching parties after President Trump's decision on transmen and trans women serving our country. But, I am not a single issue candidate.

I came even closer after the inhumane treatment of children and parents at the border. That is not the way to enforce legal immigration. I hoped the Republican party would rein in the far right kooks. They have not.

Then, the allegations  surfaced against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Both sides have been disgusting the way they have handled the Me Too movement and the Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination. Both parties care more about their political agenda; giving lip service to a serious issue for women.

The Democrats have been worse than the Republicans. They don't care about the truth; if they did, they should have mentioned the allegations made by Dr. Ford right away. They could have maintained her confidentiality.

I have advocated, fought and taken risks all my life to bring light to issues affecting children and women.

Political labels are general. Political parties evolve. My values have been and will remain the same all my life.

The Democrats using the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh for political gain while  ignoring the Keith Ellison allegations as well as those trying to make Bill Cosby's conviction about race are despicable.

The allegations by the three women should be viewed independently. They cannot because Democrat manipulation has tainted the process. Slimy atention grabbing Michael Avenatti is using his client, again, for political gain

I no longer wish to be part of a Republican party that wishes to deny immigrants (who followed the legal process) green cards because they received benefits at some point.

You want people to transition from welfare or from being working poor and also needing benefits? Then create jobs that pay well for all careers and a transition period to get off benefits. Both parties have failed to provide such a solution.

I no longer wish to be a part of the Republican party that pits Blacks against Mexicans and Asians. I no longer wish to be part of a party that pits gay vs trans men and women.

Democrats are worse though. They support whoever will get them elected. Their grandstanding and words are only for votes.

So many Republicans and conservatives are fake on cannabis. It was illegal until the government and businesses could make money. Now Republicans and conservatives want to be a part of the green rush.

I see some hope with moderate Republicans. I see no hope because progressives have ruined the Democrats; moderation is frowned upon. Smear attacks, stalking, outing, shaming as long as it justifies "the cause" for progressives.

It is only the far right and intolerant progressives who profit from both sides hating each other. There are many decent people on the left and right.

Republicans and conservatives have never invested in independent media or independents, locally or nationally.
Fox News, Breitbart and Info Wars are ineffective. Sinclair, despite what progressives believe, is good, local reporting.

On a local level, what has KINS done to be effective for conservatives besides "sucking up" to certain people and getting ad revenue.

On the left, North Coast Journal, Lost Coast Outpost or any other "media" the left supports has not made a dent in the local entrenched system. Yet, the people on the left with money keep supporting them.

Be independent with your vote, your money, your loyalty. Don't let anyone take it for granted for any election. Or you can continue letting the few on the right and left get richer at your expense.