Based on the news and talk shows you are exposed to daily, which voters dominate America? Democrats? Republicans? Or Independents?
In spite of the noise made by the far right and the far left, in 2023 America is dominated by people who consider themselves politically independent. According to a 2023 Gallup Poll - 25% consider themselves to be Democrats - 25% consider themselves to be Republicans - and 49% consider themselves to be politically independent. Independent-leaning voters nearly surpass Democrats and Republicans combined!
As a registered Independent who considers himself to be a "radical moderate" I find great comfort in the reality that WE dominate - WE determine the outcome of elections - WE have the power to demand change - and WE need to do a better job of balancing the right-wing and left-wing radicals.
On my talk show today I had an enlightening conversation with Paul Johnson, former mayor of Phoenix, AZ and host of "The Optimistic American" podcast and author of the book "Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You." During our conversation, Johnson articulated the reasons we are sequestered in the tribal cocoon of our party affiliation.
Politics has become more personal than ever and people find security in being all-in when it comes to party ideology - or should I say party dogma? By defining ourselves through allegiance to a political ideology - we are personally offended and threatened by any attack on the candidate we support.
Each side has positioned the other side as an enemy to fear and hate and it becomes the responsibility of each side to demonize and attack the other side. Many Americans find meaning in their lives by standing up for their side and the goal in life is to condemn and even try to wipe out the other side.
Politics has turned into a contact sport in America but it's important to realize that the right and the left do not have the numbers to be as dominant as they appear to be. The fact that political independents account for nearly ALL Democrats and Republicans combined - WE should start forcing OUR voice more and put political discourse in America into a more balanced perspective.
