THOSE WHO MAKE THE RULES, RULE

Political parties are corrupt, and Americans know it.1 Over 40 % of us do not identify with any party, increasing numbers of us distrust parties, and 71 % of college-age students want more political options and choices.2 Political parties are anti-democratic. Throughout American history, independents – those of us not affiliated with the major parties – have been the driving force behind the expansion of democracy. It’s the independents that have changed the rules of American politics, taking them in a more democratic and inclusive direction. Today, independents are the fastest growing group of voters in the country. The demographic trends and statistics pointing towards independence are staggering, yet we exert little political leverage in proportion to our numbers. Our democracy has become dull and lifeless with record numbers of Americans not participating.3 How did this come to be? Political parties have taken over our government. Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution is there even mention of political parties. And yet, the major parties make the rules through which all levels of policy are decided – from who gets on th