pros and cons of being an independent voter

pros and cons of being an independent voter

Maybe youve had to be stronger in your career cause money hasnt always been there for you. Here too, the type of annual tax return you file depends on the way you've structured your business. Because in all our previous experience, weve just risen above it and learned to make do. Regardless of the label, all are essentially the same in practice, including a self-employed designation when it comes to U.S. tax purposes. Catalonia has different cultural priorities than Spain. Political parties are able to draw on resources, financial as well as volunteers, to support a campaign and these resources may not be available to an Independent. Unlike W-2 employees, a 1099 independent contractor is responsible for his or her own taxes, retirement savings, and health insurance coverage. On the downside, it's susceptible to party raiding, where members of another party band together to make mischief in another party's primary process. Let this be a lesson for all: learn your local election laws! Firstly because of the restriction on voting in primaries. BTW, the concept of super-delegates in D convention was specifically designed to address the concern of electing Mondale-like "party hardcore favorites" in the primaries. Many closed primary advocates say political parties are like clubs, and you should have to be a member of the club to vote for its leader. Which States Use an Open Primary Election?. Apparently my voter registration (less than a year old) has been purged. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. (Des Moines Register.). Firstly because of the restriction on voting in primaries. and fellow former Democratic presidential candidates. Most caregivers who are hired through franchise agencies earn less than $10 an hour. Is it good or bad to be an independent in a partisan political climate? Anecdotally, I can tell you that lately, all voters are becoming more and more polarized, and independent-registered voters tend to be less participatory in elections, especially local elections. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Another con of being registered as an Independent is that people feel they have less of if no voice. National Politics. But some of these voters made up their minds in time to register in October but didn't (looking at you, Ivanka and Eric). Employees may have to work long hours and travel quite often. So be real, most people haven't been to Comicon and don't even HAVE 13 costumes. I know I will always do the research on all of the candidates so I can be an informed voter, no matter my registered party and I encourage all of you to do so as well. 1. Pros and Cons of Working as an Independent . Want to read more content like this? It shouldnt be about party allegiance. Whoops. The 5 Most Successful Independent Presidential Candidates in History. ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 3 July 2019, www.thoughtco.com/most-successful-independent-presidential-candidates-3367561. Many of Sanders supporters felt his chances at the presidency had been smeared and interfered with by liberal media and fellow former Democratic presidential candidates. The journey of someone just like you, on a journey just like you. Christians in Politics believes that wherever possible, membership of a political party is not only the most effective way to bring about positive change in society, but also enables the parties themselves to be challenged on issues with which we may disagree and undoubtedly this will involve building relationships with those who may not agree with us. However, usually if no one else has been interacting with you or looking at your work, you may be completely ambivalent to the things youre not doing right. (Gallup.) @jbouie No, we chose to have a system where if you don't belong to 1 of 2 major parties your voice is diminished. Being a registered voter in Pennsylvania makes me want to be registered under a party so I can vote in the primaries. Additional Responsibility. For some of us, independence means being able to make our own significant financial moves, such as buying your own car or your own house without the assistance of others. Aside from Obama (and maaaaybe GWB if you squint hard enough), that wasn't true since Mondale in 1994. But before making such a big decision, it's essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages that becoming a contractor . When many people expressed distaste toward voting for Biden over Trump, choosing instead to withhold their vote or vote third party, they were met with a barrage of Democratic supporters repeating the same phrase: Vote blue no matter who. After Sanders suspension, online forums and social media exploded with political disagreement. When the holidays roll around and your relatives ask who you voted for, you can smugly say I voted green, or something along those lines, and watch their jaws hit the floor. #Provisional Ballot, here I come. What are the pros and cons? Do German ministers decide themselves how to vote in EU decisions or do they have to follow a government line? But voters are moving to care more about issues, rather than parties. It seems primaries are won by being the one that your hard-core party types like the best, which is not always the same as being the one that stands the best chance of actually becoming president. To help you network, gain expertise, and receive discounts on insurance and other self-employment expenses, consider joining professional organizations such as the National Association for the Self-Employed. R primaries selected Romney, McCain, and Reagan, not Cain, Keyes/Huckabee or Robertson. Ultimately, this system of government has its pros and cons. The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) held its public hearings last week over two days, with commissioners hearing from organisations and residents on the negative and positive impacts from holiday letting. Politics is about choice, change and personal opinion. Some people were still waiting in line to vote after the polls closed -- and even after the election had been called for Trump and Clinton. Fighting the three-headed dragon of voter suppression, mass media lies, and elitist supremacy, Bramelly Tammer (@Opal_boulder) April 19, 2016. So last time it was just a general overview on my topic and my opinion on some of the issues that come up within party politics. Can someone please explain these numbers and how the Republican won the CA US 21st congressional district in 2016? I was a registered #voter. First off, some background: as of September 2019, according to Gallup Polling, thirty one percent of Americans identified as Democrat, twenty nine percent identified as Republican, and thirty eight percent identified as Independent. , Gallup, 30 Nov. 2017, news.gallup.com/poll/101905/gallup-poll.aspx. Pro #1: It usually means you can take of yourself I think it's great that we learn to stand on our own two feet. Independent contractors are required to pay income taxes on the profits of their business and a self-employment tax (a required contribution to Social Security and Medicare). Flexibility. Among the 50 states, our children came in last in education. For more, check out the Kicker site, like their Facebook page, or subscribe to their email newsletter. Another difference between employees and ICs is that employees receive wages or salaries subject to withholding taxes like federal income tax. Do you agree or disagree with any of the comments above? You shouldnt be goaded into voting for someone who you dont believe supports your politics. Help you to develop your self-esteem and self-reliance as you learn to live on your own. "As a 14-year registered Democrat and 1-year registered Republican, the only advantage I see as registering as an independent is that you don't get bombarded by phone calls and mailers when it comes time for the Primary." Thus the only way to win the primaries is to be the most Democratic or Republican you can be; not to moderate your platform. Fact Sheet 13: Employment Relationship Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Self-Employment Tax (Social Security and Medicare Taxes). Advantages of being an independent contractor over being an employee include more control since you're your own boss. Choosing to go independent can offer you a significant amount of flexibility in running your business. Pros of moving out. PRO: Your Income Potential is Unlimited. You must fund your Social Security and Medicare taxes. Some of the disadvantages of being a 1099 employee include you must fund 100% of your Medicare and Social Security taxes, health insurance, retirement savings, as well as any tools and equipment needed for your profession. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton described the long lines to US Attorney General Loretta Lynch: "Throughout the county, but especially in Phoenix, thousands of citizens waited in line for three, four, and even five hours to vote.". Therefore feeling disenfranchised (denied of their right to vote). Many of Sanders' supporters felt his chances at the presidency had been smeared and interfered with by liberal media and fellow former Democratic presidential candidates. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, They are paid by the project, not by the hour, week, or month, They work with their own tools and equipment, not those supplied by the company who hires them, They are free to perform work for other businesses, They are free to work at a location and during hours of their choosing (although clients can give independent contractors deadlines for completing the work), They can employ subcontractors for all or part of the work (unless their contract with the hiring firm says otherwise). Does Cast a Spell make you a spellcaster? Who's to say that politicians won't one day decide that the average voter doesn't know what's best for them and elect a candidate who clearly does not represent the choice of the people? Unlike employees, who are told what to do and how to do it by their employers, independent contractors can set their own rules. The truth is though that often we do need others to help us out. When youre starting, apply to agencies that can connect you with contract work. I do have to make a critique, however. ", Internal Revenue Service. All rights reserved (About Us). The problem with doing everything yourself is that you only have the resources and investment of one person to accomplish things. Another one that kind of plays on our pride a bit. @chrislhayes explains why Ivanka Trump is right about voting in NY - it's a disaster. Anyway, Independent candidates are a great way of getting people who are more interested in single-issue politics out to vote. (East Herts People.) Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. You no longer have to be labeled. All answers are welcome, but I'm the sort of person who spends time on Skeptics, so I love sources and statistics if anyone wishes to include them as well :). People looked up to Sanders because he advocated change. But is being independent as good as its cracked out to be? Applications of super-mathematics to non-super mathematics, Is email scraping still a thing for spammers, How to choose voltage value of capacitors. Being independent you can think for yourself and not be constrained by party dogma. As a moderate liberalish myself, I know that I will educate myself before making a decision, especially because there are so many options. Right now, independents can certainly run, but they face a low likelihood of winning as they're labeled "spoilers" who will make it harder for the similar, mainstream candidate to win a race. Primaries in NY are closed, meaning only registered Democrats can vote for a Democratic candidate and only registered Republicans can vote for a Republican candidate. Nearly 40 percent of voters in the United States identify as independent, yet there are only four independents serving in Congress. What I like about this attitude is that you take responsibility for your own wellbeing. A voter should not have to feel that way. Here are some pros and cons of working as an entrepreneur: Pros of being an entrepreneur If you want to be an entrepreneur, here are a few pros to consider: 1. Because people wont vote for the third party. Thanks Gerard! They dont have as much of an easy out as Republicans or Democrats might in that they can be lazy and do no research, trusting the candidate running for their party is good enough. If its just you, then what happens when youre not able to be there? There is such great power in partnership. Progressives and independents are told a vote for the third party is a vote for Trump, or any other Republican or majority candidate. We recognise there are many creative and dedicated Christians working for and lobbying on a range of causes, but we would like to see more of that energy and commitment working on the inside of politics too. A wave of disappointment washed over democratic voters after Al Gore won the candidacy in 2000, and again in 2016 with Clinton, and its happening again with Biden this year. Primary elections are for electing the candidate the party would like to represent them in the general election. Sanders had been pegged by many Democratic voters as too socialist, loud and abrasive, along with many other words. Could very old employee stock options still be accessible and viable? While its true change happens slowly, we can make that change by being willing to stand up for the working lower class. For Democrats, if you're unaffiliated ("no party preference," in California), you can vote in the Democratic primary. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. When you decide to become an independent caregiver, you can set your own rate. When youre used to playing for one, it didnt matter as much, but if you want to grow and learn to be a team player in any area of life, youre going to need to invite the right feedback in to your life and not be so set on your way of doing life. I vote out of civic obligation only and am not that offended by not participating; but at the same time if I could better serve my civil obligations by choosing a political party (with a coin flip) I would do so. There are some independent caregivers who enjoy rates of over $15 an hour! Like other professions, being an independent consultant is one great roller coaster ride, with its many highs, lows, twists and turns. #inners https://t.co/PBfcSdBdIt. If you're not registered either Democrat or Republican, you might be having a tough time voting. The Search Committ, Mimi Gina: PDX alt drag icon They do not have an affiliation so they are forced to do research on the candidates to see which one they like better. So I'm wondering if there is an advantage to staying true to my actual political views and staying an independent, as opposed to picking one side at random to register as so I can have some sort of say in presidential elections via voting in the primaries. Colorado's more than 1 million officially unaffiliated voters now outnumber Republicans and Democrats in the state. How good is it when people are so free in their own life that they dont just have enough for them whether it be finances, emotions, time, or otherwise but they have enough to give to others? You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Another con of the Electoral college is that it leaves many unrepresented for. And its even more than that. is the mathematical equivalent of not voting. First off, you dont have to be pressured by one party or another to vote a specific way. If the worker's situation doesn't fit within the rules, the worker is not an IC, regardless of the employer's wishes. Bernie Sanders was a Democrat in name only. Both parties have about 900,000 . While that may cut down on contacts from campaigns that are only using government-supplied voter data, larger/more sophisticated campaigns can use. In so doing, they are aiming to influence the political agenda and to change the conversation in the public square to include those issues that matter to people in their constituencies. So hundreds of thousands of people who meant to register as independent, nonaffiliated voters joined this conservative party. Its definitely a good thing to be able to take care of yourself. The drawbacks to being an independent contractor include more responsibility. A poor economy has pushed some unemployed or underemployed Americans towards self-employment. The majority of registered voters are actually independent. , The Des Moines Register, 5 Jan. 2018, www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2018/01/04/become-independent-voter-your-own-risk/1004582001/. Independent voters are outgrowing Democratic and Republican voters 2:1 in the last 2 presidential cycles. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. In general, independent contractors are required to report income or losses from their business on IRS Schedule C, and they report Social Security and Medicare taxes on Schedule SE (Form 1040 or 1040-SR ), Self-Employment Tax. The way I see it--even after reading the informative article that Napalm provided--is that the individual has less voting power in an electoral college system. Pros of Being an Independent Caregiver. Here are 6 pros and cons of being independent. When Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the 2020 United States Presidential Race on April 8, the fallout was palpable, especially among those who identify as independent. Maryland is safely a Democratic leaning state, with the last time going to a Republican was in 1988, giving its 10 electoral votes to Bush. What we find with Mandatory voting is that every citizen has to give an opinion. If its just your independent self, theres a good chance that youre not going to be able to generate enough to really make a lasting difference. I had thought at one time that independents represented the swing vote either side needed to win, and as the 'king maker' in elections we would thus be the ones that had to be courted and listen to by politicians. Recent church culture has encouraged single-issue lobbying more than relational participation in politics. "Estimated Taxes. We fight for our right to do it on our own, but is it always a good thing? If Your Wife Isnt Your Standard Of Beauty, Who Is? Also, independents have an odd reputation since many independents in congress tend to be left leaning (ie Senator Sanders-VT) but many independents running for president fall under libertarian or religiously focused (ie Evan McMullin-UT). You have an attitude towards the friends you make, but you havent invited in any other voices to give you the real truth about how you treat other people. When youve been independent so long, it can be hard to change your mindset to incorporate others. I could hardly be an independent if I vote for one party always; I thought that context was pretty explicit, the question doesn't really make sense without the presumption that my vote won't effect presidential elections after all. PTIJ Should we be afraid of Artificial Intelligence? Also, you might need to pay for your own tools and equipment as well as establish a federal and state tax ID number. Its about making change. The spectrum of political opinions is far too diverse and wide-ranging to be isolated to two groups that essentially represent the same issues, goals and policies. (US House/Senate). YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Harper called an earlier election because he presumed this electoral system would favour his party to win. One of the main reasons given by Independent candidates for participating outside the traditional political parties is that it gives them greater freedom to speak their minds, as they are not constrained by the official position of a political party. If you're unaffiliated/independent, you can't vote in the NY primary. Over 60,000 Democrats in Brooklyn alone disappeared from the voter rolls. Advantages of being an independent contractor over being an employee include more control since you're your own boss. Pros And Cons Of Abolishing The Electoral College. Two of Donald Trump's adult children, Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump, can't vote for their dad today. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Key Takeaways. The Department of Justice is investigating. John Steven Niznik writes about careers and other job-related topics.

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