[Jacquerie]

I almost entirely agree. The only reason I left my registration (R) is so I can influence the primary process. But, given last year's GOP convention, it is clear the apparatchiks probably have control over who becomes the nominee. I'll decide that come 2016.

Third parties are a waste of time.

The left has fundamentally corrupted the structure of our government to the point that national elections matter less and less with every cycle.

FWIW, I wrote a short vanity on the importance of structure to our republic. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3028528/posts

[Soul of the South]

“The only reason I left my registration (R) is so I can influence the primary process.”

In NC unaffiliated voters can vote in either primary.

Personally I’m against open primaries as it allows primaries to be manipulated by the other party. For example in 2014 I expect Lindsay Graham to win the Republican primary against conservative opposition because DNC affiliated groups will organize independents and Democrats to vote for Graham in the Republican primary.

However, as long as NC allows me to vote in either primary, I’ll vote if I believe it will make a difference.