We took Sanders to the top of the primary. Some of us will argue he would have won if not for the interferences from day 1 in Iowa. We did that with grass roots donations and using the internet social medias to reach this accomplishment. We can do the same with the green party.

@William_Mary Obviously, we’ll never know if Sander’s could have beaten trump. I was assured there was ‘all kinds of’ footage of Bernie (the Socialist Independant) honeymooning in Russia. No doubt the R’s would have labeled him ‘A Commie!’ The Russian’s targeted Hillary for a reason, while Sander’s was left untouched...

Once voted for the Greens, so many years ago I can’t remember the details. Since, I’ve done what I can within the Democratic Party. I loved Carter, Clinton.., Kerry, Obama, then Clinton again… Honestly, I can’t even name one Green ..and I’m trying

@Varn well at least you own up to your love of empire building. And the mounting war time crimes they have all committed with possibly the exception of Carter. Along with the social injustices they are complicit with here at home. Noted.

@William_Mary Then tell me… did the opponents of those I admired make our world a better place? Of course not… Did those you voted for make any difference? Same answer.. So, while others do what they can to shift this troubled nation toward sanity - within guidelines established by decades of Supreme Court losses and oppositional legislative control (the nasty stuff you’d blame on both parties though brought to us by one) ..you’re proud to have thrown away your vote/s for the sake of ..purity?

I suspect it’s deeper, an unwillingness to face the realities of US politics by using the disclaimer: ‘It wasn’t my fault’ (wait for it) -- ‘I voted Green’ Until I meet ‘President Green,’ I can’t take your accusations seriously

@Varn [ivn.us]

So you don’t get to vote for candidates in the primaries? I moved from a state that required ‘party affiliation’ to vote for primary candidates. By registering Independent, I gave up my ability to effect either major parties candidate choices. Free to vote for anyone in the General, do you miss your ability to help decided the final candidate in at least one party?

@Varn in Ohio we independents or non affiliated can choose which party we wish to vote in.

@Varn I'm not happy about not being able to vote in party primaries. I don't think that's reasonable at all. However, I will not register as anything else. I was a republican, many moons ago, but with Reagan and the increased influence of religion on the party and their platform, I had to bolt. I've always been a moderate, and much more of a centrist. I believe government should stay out of people's private lives and which medical procedures they can avail themselves of. I can't support either party. My political philosophy is that republicans, democrats, conservatives, and liberals ALL = same shit, different piles. They've all either gone too far to the right, or too far to the left. Makes it damned hard to support anyone for anything. We need more Independents running for public office at all levels.

@KKGator I’d originally registered Republican, too ..as my dad stood beside me; had it been mom, I’d have likely chosen the Dem’s Same here, Religious Reagan & Crew drove me off. Turned into a ‘Carter Republican!’

Gerrymandering has led to extremism, bunching ‘like voters’ into twisted districts where the most extreme candidate emerges from the primary. As the Republicans either started first, or were simply ‘best’ at it, most states are now carved to their advantage...

I stop far short at calling them all ‘piles of shit.’ I’ve known too many that weren't/ aren’t. What most I know were.. is unsuccessful… Often too ‘pure to play the game,’ they lost.. When a candidate comes along savvy enough to understand how the game’s played, and that when she’s elected her chance to make change will happen - I support her.

Yup sausage in the making! ...and if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.. But with all respect, those unwilling to participate in the process have no right to feel above the end product.

@Varn Please don't conclude that my level of distaste indicates a lack of participation.

@KKGator Noted, and I’m glad of that … but please (Please) don’t play into the other side’s strategy of promoting voter apathy through statements ..like above. That’s actually one of their strategies, asserting ‘nothing ever changes,’ ‘they’re all the same,’ ‘the system’s rigged,’ ‘they’re all crooks,’ ‘it doesn't matter who you vote for’... Right -- but get to the polls on Tuesday for [ fill in the Republican ]!

I’m passionate about this because I’ve, not only substantially contributed, but watched my community's best give their all for the betterment of us. I remember personally assessing the difference between a good politician and the average person, concluding, the best politician lacks the personality quirks that trip up so many of us. They’ve strength, empathy, intelligence, knowledge and self confidence. Granted, I’ve not spent much time with their opponents, but those I volunteered for impress me to this day.