politics

Is it wrong of me that I do not want to be bothered with political ads, speeches, etc?

I have had a long-standing aversion to getting involved in the political process beyond voting in the major elections. I have voted in every presidential election since becoming old enough to vote, and in every gubernatorial election as well (Ohio's governor is elected 2 years after the presidential elections). I typically vote in the smaller elections only if there is an issue that I feel strongly about. I vote Democrat most of the time, and certainly consider the Democratic Party platform to be closer to my personal values than the Republican Party.

But I am not a registered Democrat, and I refuse to become one. I do not want people calling me for money, or to tell me why Candidate X is better than Candidate Y. I am not interested in political rallies or speeches and watching most political ads is like hearing fingernails on a blackboard. I do listen to NPR, which offers the only political coverage that I can bear to listen to for more than 5 minutes.


My refusal to officially join the Democratic Party will prevent me from voting in Ohio's presidential primary election next week. I'm OK with that. I do not feel strongly enough for either candidate to give up my independence as a voter, and I'm growing increasingly dismayed by the negative turn the campaigns have taken. Still, in the general election in November, I will almost certainly vote for the Democratic ticket, whichever candidate gets the final nod.

I call myself independent. Indifferent may be the more accurate term. In either case, my grandmother (who once ran away from home to attend a Democratic National Convention) is probably rolling in her grave. Sorry Grandma!