A change of course

This is purely a personal statement that is likely of interest to very few. Feel free to click away now, if you like.

For some time now, I've argued that third parties in the United States served a useful function, and that it was better to vote your conscience than to vote strategically, because the entire point of voting is to vote your beliefs.

That is still true, somewhat. Somewhat.

This election has changed my personal view and intentions. As the GOP has descended into a morass of obstreperous, dog-whistling white nationalism, and has nominated a would-be dictator and accused sexual abuser with little to no understanding of how our government functions, the political landscape has changed. I now believe it's more important for progressive Americans to unite to work for the common good and in the interest of common human decency than it is to engage in internecine arguments over ideological purity. That is something we can no longer afford. Nothing less than the fundamentals of democracy and human liberty are at stake. Even if Trump is defeated, his followers will remain, and there is no doubt that they'll continue to be with us for many years to come.

Therefore, once this election is over, I'll be re-registering as a Democrat. Someday, years from now, when we've decisively eliminated the danger of the far right taking power, I'll reconsider my options.

But for now, there's work to do. Let's do it.