# I did something I never thought I’d do. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 1, 2018, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391 "2018-05-01T05:51:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/21 "2018-05-01T11:55:28Z")
I switched after G.W. Never made an official announcement but family and friends know where I stand. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/22 "2018-05-01T12:02:36Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Oh, I understand why it’s done in your system. > > It’s just that from our perspective, the government has no more right to know my party affiliation and keep a public record than, say, keeping a public record of what church, if any, I go to. Some things are none of the Government’s business. > > I’I sorry if you find it tedious if non-American posters post their opinions of the US system, but I think that’s inevitable on a board with posters from around the world. > > Please feel free to post as much as you like about the aspects of Canada’s political system that you may find odd or bizarre. I’ll try to respond. 🙂 Please don’t twist what I say. I didnt say “express an opinion”. It’s the hyperbolic language that gets attached to nuances of American culture that gets tedious. We do things differently sometimes and it can be an interesting discussion without the extreme language that implies that it’s not just different but it’s bizarre ad unthinkable. I tried carefully to make that clear, but if it wasn’t i apologize. AndI’ill end that hijack. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/23 "2018-05-01T12:07:01Z")
Back to the op, Ive switched parties lots of times,for ideological reasons. Liberal, Workers, Democrat, unaffiliated. I’ll stay democrat for primary access and bc they most closely match my values, but I like having the ease to switch with little trouble. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/24 "2018-05-01T12:22:42Z")
The first election in which I was eligible, I had the choice of Kennedy or Nixon. Being of a strongly pacifist nature (among other liberal proclivities), I of course considered myself a Democrat and voted for Kennedy. Well, it was Kennedy who marched us into Vietnam, and Nixon who coptered us out. Hmm. As for Hillary, I have no doubt that she would still have been a better president than Trump and maybe even better than Obama, but nevertheless she is a virulent hawk and I believe if she had won the election, we’d be in a shooting war somewhere right now. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/25 "2018-05-01T12:56:49Z")
Well, **Airman** , so many of us should be able to look at ourselves and say “I’m not the same person I was 20 years ago”. Too often people get locked in and invest their sense of right and wrong in being “unwavering” in their labeled self-identification even in the face of changing facts or new information. And even when that to which the label is applied, itself changes in a direction different from the individual. In that sense, I suppose that in the words of Ronald Reagan and others in the past about their own circumstances, you did not leave the party, the party left _you_. About public record registrations – Back at home in PR, R vs. D is essentially a symbolic choice, and in any case our registration (NPP/PDP/PIP/WPP/etc) is not public record, we “affiliate” by filling a singup sheet when arriving at the primary polling place, and I know from direct observation that little or no real care is taken to keep a crosschecked database thereof from one election to the next. Also, our registration is separate from other licensing, but it is deliberately very easily accessible and _we get issued a dedicated photo Voter ID on the spot for no charge_. And we’re supposed to be a flat broke and chronically inefficient jurisdiction… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/26 "2018-05-01T13:12:17Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Declaring party affiliation (or not) is a part of voter registration - it doesn’t really have anything to do with the DMV save for them relaying that info to the appropriate state agency. It’s just a convenience to do that while you’re there anyway. That’s what **they** want you to think. Now that the cops know that **Doors** is a Democrat, we’ll see how often he gets pulled over. **They** are watching us!! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/27 "2018-05-01T14:00:30Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > We actually don’t have federal or national elections. What looks like a Presidential election is actually 51 simultaneous state-level elections for delegates to the Electoral College. All other offices and all referenda are state and local. Party membership has official status only in terms of choosing which primary elections to participate in. I think this deserves emphasizing. It’s something that even many Americans don’t understand. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/28 "2018-05-01T15:29:39Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I have never had to answer that question at the dmv. Weird. We have open primaries in Arkansas. We are asked which party we are voting for at the primary so they know which ballot to give us, a Democratic or Republican with their candidates in the primary. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/29 "2018-05-01T16:14:43Z")
A party affiliation is just a flag of convenience. If one party represents what you want your country to be more than another, then that’s the flag you have to adopt. It’s really not that big a deal in itself. But if you have to overcome tribalism first, well, congratulations are due to anyone who’s recognized and achieved that. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/30 "2018-05-01T16:26:38Z")
I’ve read your posts from the beginning. We had a lot of common ground and some disagreements. It makes me realize what a great resource and community we have built up over the years that we can see our personal development take place. I probably have more pithy remarks but they are hiding behind some pain pills at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/31 "2018-05-01T16:30:49Z")
Thanks to all for responding and enlightening me. I get it now. I just never knew of this process before. Ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/32 "2018-05-01T16:33:19Z")
Here’s hoping the Republican Party eventually comes to its senses enough so that you feel comfortable enough to return to it. It’s not that I don’t want you as a Democrat-It’s more that I would feel it would be better for the country if my two choices weren’t “I guess I can vote for that if I have to” vs. “OHMYFUCKINGGHODARETHEYCRAZY??” ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/33 "2018-05-01T16:43:03Z")
Even though I tend to vote Democrat, for a long time I did not have a party affiliation declared. Then in 2008, a bunch of us from work decided it would be fun to go to the Democratic caucus, but in order to get in you had to be registered as a Democrat. So I did. Hey, Kansas needs more Democrats anyway! ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/34 "2018-05-01T16:46:48Z")
Thanks for your post and your upcoming participation in the primaries, **Airman**. As to the hijack – I think more states are moving to open primaries these days. Here in Missouri, you don’t have to declare a party when you register. You just ask for the ballot of whatever party you want to vote for in the primary. I’m effectively a Democrat in that I give them money and only ever vote in their primaries, but I don’t think I’m on a list as being an actual member of that party (unless by donating I ticked some box to be enrolled as a member; and if so, where the hell is my card and my benefits?!) ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/35 "2018-05-01T16:57:37Z")
I used to live in Wyoming, which has closed primaries, so you had to declare your party of preference when you registered to vote. I’m an independent but have voted for more Democrats than Republicans. However, except for Jackson and Laramie, which tack left, the state is so deeply red that in many instances, there’s no Democratic candidate running. I registered GOP so at least I’d have a say on which GOP candidate ran. The GOP was always sending me those “surveys” that are actually pleas for money. I never sent cash, but I DID fill out the surveys. I know it made no difference, but I got satisfaction out of giving Obama high marks even on questions worded to make him seem like the devil incarnate. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/36 "2018-05-01T16:59:52Z")
Parties and goals change over time, and we do not need to feel locked in to one or the other. I’m a Democrat, but if the Republican party were much the same as it was in my father’s time, I might be switching over. Dad would be rolling in his grave if he could see what his party has become. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/37 "2018-05-01T17:07:07Z")
> [@Lizard](#): > > For some reason the first thing that flashed through my head when I saw the thread title was something about having sex with a mime. That doesn’t seem like the kind of thing most people would talk about. Well, at least ONE of the parties involved won’t talk about it. ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/38 "2018-05-01T17:11:23Z")
Here in Nebraska, I am registered as Independent now. I had switched to Democrat so I could vote for Bernie in the Primary. This year, however, it’s been announced that Independents would be allowed to vote on the Democrats Primary too. So we are not totally closed primaries. Many of us are advocating for open primary though. Satch ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/39 "2018-05-01T17:23:49Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > The big deal is that, to me, as a Canadian, they seem so very disconnected. How dare the driver’s license people ask me who I want to vote for? > > I can’t even come up with a suitable analogy. It’s just so completely bizarre. You might want to think of it more like, when you go to the grocery store, Safeway/Whole Foods/whatever isn’t trying to sell you Girl Scout cookies. The Girl Scouts are there out of convenience. Or if you go to a hockey game and some bank has set up a booth that offers you a free hat if you sign up for their credit card. Doesn’t mean the team is doing a credit check on you. These aren’t exactly analogous situations, but just because one can register to vote and renew their license at the DMV doesn’t mean that the functions are actually intertwined in a substantive way. Both services are offered there simply as a matter of convenience. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391/40 "2018-05-02T01:03:23Z")
In the Commonwealth of Taxachusetts, the choice is **Unenrolled** , because we, for some strange reason, have have an Independent party. With the vast majority of the sheeple checking D for the future-felon, pulling a ‘D’ ballot only makes the current unindicted felon have to work harder to keep their nose in the public trough. For example, the last 4 or so Speakers of the House have become guests of the Commonwealth or Uncle Sam. The last Senate President had to retire due to his husband touching everything but the third rail. Our junior Senators only job in the private sector was driving a ice cream truck back when gas was under a buck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-did-something-i-never-thought-i-d-do/813391.md?page=3)