A Political Independent’s Manifesto

The fact that I’m politically unaffiliated makes a lot of people uncomfortable; they want to know exactly where I stand.

There’s a misguided perception that Independents hold an insipid, contradictory hodge-podge of middle-ground beliefs because we can’t make up our minds.

Just because dogmatic ideologues can’t squash my holistic beliefs into their narrow box of prejudicial “truth” doesn’t mean I don’t live by resolute principles.

So for those wondering where I stand, here is my Political Independent’s Manifesto:

• The classical philosophy of constitutional and personal liberty guides my political beliefs, actions, and votes — not one-sided party ideology.

• All man-made parties and ideologies have truth and error, and no political party has a monopoly on political and economic truth.

• Because of human nature, centralization of power corrupts people and principles. I am therefore intrinsically suspicious of all federal politicians and policies — regardless of party.

• I judge and vote for federal politicians based on how well they understand and adhere to the constitution, as proven by their voting record, not their rhetoric.

• I judge politicians and parties not by what they say, but by what they do.

• Both Democrats and Republicans are equally to blame for our current fiscal, economic, political, and cultural problems, and for the steady decline of freedom in the past century.

• As parties, neither Democrats nor Republicans offer legitimate, deep, and lasting solutions to our deeply-embedded problems.

• Freedom is the result of treating all individuals, institutions, and entities equally before the law, regardless of race, color, gender, wealth, or status. Generally speaking, Democrats are the party of big government, while Republicans are the party of big business. Both approaches stratify society, intensify unhealthy class structure, and concentrate wealth and power in the hands of few.

• Ultimately, in a democratic republic, the People are to blame for any loss of freedom. Freedom depends far more on what happens in the minds and hearts of individual citizens than what happens in Washington.

• Our problems will be solved and our freedom restored to the extent that citizens and leaders can see beyond party platitudes, shed ideological blinders, and think holistically and generationally.

• I am far more concerned with forms of government, rather than issues. For example, repealing the 16th and 17th amendments (forms) will do far more to restore our freedom than hacking at the leaves of illegal immigration (issue).

• While Democrats emphasize compassion and Republicans emphasize self-reliance, both are equally vital in a free and healthy society. These two values are not — at least should not be — at odds with each other. Ideally, compassionate service should be performed voluntarily, not through the force of government. Regardless, it should be a high and honorable aim for all free citizens no matter what party they belong to.

• I believe in local autonomy and diversity. I support certain policies on the local or state level that would be inappropriate and unconstitutional on a federal level. Local and state governments should influence citizens much more than the federal government. It’s not about being for or against government, but rather how much government for what specific purposes and at what level.

• Neither of the two major parties have a clear, coherent, and freedom-based foreign policy. The current mainstream neoconservative foreign policy of interventionism, nation-building, promoting global “democracy,” and waging “war on terror” is misguided, inimical to freedom, and if unchecked will ultimately lead to de facto empire. I believe that American interests are far better served and that we will be much safer and more free by dramatically scaling back our military presence in the world; by being a light to the world, not a policeman.

• Our freedom will not be restored by any party, but rather by independent-minded, liberally-educated private citizens who see and act beyond the limitations of party.

Recommended Reading:

• FreedomShift: Three Choices to Reclaim America’s Destiny by Oliver DeMille
• “Beyond Liberal & Conservative: Independents, Post-Moderns, & How to Really Understand the Issues” by Oliver DeMille
• “Breaking Free From the Two-Party System” by Kyle Roberts
• “Rising Above the Partisan Stage Show” by Chris Brady
• “Are Republicans Really the Party of Fiscal Responsibility?” by Stephen Palmer
• “The Lost Decade?” by David Brooks
• “America’s Seven-Party System” by Oliver DeMille
• “Independents & the Tea Party Movement” by Oliver DeMille