In reply to:

an independent can not vote in a primary election. This is a real loss, since in many areas, most elections are decided in the primaries.

yes, true in NY too, I am registered as "democrat"-- but have gone to "fund raisers" for Republicans-- but generally think of my self as a liberal! NY does have the peculiar "rockerfelleer rebublicans" who are sometimes more liberal than democrates, or the liberals!

real decisions are often made in the primaries-- last year, i voted "late" after work at about 7PM, and was the 87th voter in my district (a large district!) to vote in the primary. 1 primary vote is equal to about 10 !

It very rare for me to vote "straight line" --that is all the candidate from one party.


my other obsession