I have never been a devoted party member of either party. When I was 18, we had a crooked Democrat Governor who was selling pardons and state liquor licenses, and engaging in mail fraud while in office. The state actually swore in the incoming Governor (Lamar Alexander, a good, honest intelligent, conservative Republican) a few days early to prevent and another round of pardons and licensing on old Governor. In that same election, I vote for Richard Nixon, and we know what a disgrace, he was, prompting his own Republican Party to hasten his departure. That election convinced me I was absolutely correct in originally registering to vote, not as a member of either party or any party. Since then, I have voted Republican and Democrat based on the known character, and leadership potential of the candidates running, my guess at who would be most likely to support the Constitution, rule of law and do the most good, or which one would be the least damaging to the state or country, often picking the lessor of two evils. That said, I always vote, as I believe all citizen owe it to the country and their community to take their stand on election day.
