Voters are clearly fed up with the Two-Party Status Quo. A Majority of Americans view both Parties Unfavorably, and more Americans Identify as Independent than either Democrat or Republican.
The trend lines are even more staggering Colorado. Their Secretary of State recently reported that more than Half of the 25,039 Voters who Registered since June 28th chose to be Unaffiliated with either Party. Independents now number over 1.3 Million in the State, or 37%. Yet, despite losing market share among the Electorate, the Two Major Parties maintain Total Control over their Governing Institutions, All 100 State Legislators are either Democrats or Republicans.
The consequence is crippling. According to a University of Houston study, the Colorado Legislature has become more Polarized than at any time in recent History and is now the most Polarized State Legislature in the Country. In this climate, it is increasingly difficult for the Legislature to tackle Big Issues, from Education to Infrastructure and Health Care.
The need and opportunity for Independent Leadership to Bridge the Partisan Divide and get Government Working for People, rather than the Parties or Special Interests, has never been Greater. But both Parties have thrown up Obstacles to Prevent New Competition, and Independents have lacked the same kind of campaign Infrastructure that Major-Party Candidates have.
Fortunately, a Group called the Centrist Project, I have been a Member since 2014, is Building a New Vehicle for Independents to Run for Office in Colorado by providing them with the Campaign Tools, Volunteer Network, and Financial Support they need to run Competitive Races. The Group’s Objective is to Elect a Small Coalition of Independent Candidates to the Legislature where they could use their enormous Leverage to Forge Real Solutions through Cooperation between the Major Parties.
Many wonder what would Unite such a group of Independents who are, well, Independent. To us, being an Independent doesn’t just mean you are fed up with both Major Parties. It means you believe in putting what’s Best for the People ahead of what’s Best for a Political Party or a Special Interest. It means following the Facts, using Common Sense, and Acting on the Best Ideas, no matter where they come from. And it means bringing People together, finding Common Ground and getting Things Done. We know Independents can make a difference as Candidates and Elected Leaders.
Independent Leaders have already shown what is possible in other States. In Alaska, Two Independents helped Form a New “bipartisan governing majority” in their Statehouse this Year. They made the State’s Budget Deficit a Top Priority and Passed a Series of Bipartisan Bills to address it. In Maine, after Two Independents were Elected in 2016, one Incumbent Republican and Two Incumbent Democrats Unaffiliated and Joined them. Now, No Bill can Pass on a strict Party-Line Vote.
Colorado deserves a Legislature that truly Tackles Problems instead of narrowly Avoiding Crises every Legislative Session. A Dissatisfied Electorate deserves more than the same Two Choices that just aren’t Working.
The Time is now for Independents to step forward as Candidates who are Able and Willing to put People ahead of Party, and have an Infrastructure behind them.
CLICK HERE for more Information about the Centrist Project.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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