I've been an Independent for 14 years. While I have always identified with the positions of the Democratic party I've seen the two parties as these juggernauts more interested with destroying one another then governing the country. And much like the average Iraqi has looked on in horror as their homeland is turned into a war zone with Americans fighting terrorists that were not there before our invasion; I look on in horror as this country slides further and further back from where it needs to go while the two parties battle on. I used to take no end of grief from my grandfather, an old school blue collar depression era Democrat, for not joining the party. "This is no time to sit on the sidelines," he'd tell me. But in terms of producing results I really didn't see a difference. The Limbaugh wing of the Republican party that wants to destroy the Democrats is no different to me then bitter partisans on the Democratic side that want to destroy the Republicans. Superior positions to me are useless if they never get enacted into law.

A couple of weeks ago I registered as a member of a party for the first time in my life, a member of the Democratic party. I did this because of Barack Obama's platform of an end to partisanship and a pledge to work together with Republicans to move this country forward to where it needs to go. I don't want a fighter in Washington, we have more then enough fighters and fighting. I want a statesman, a leader who will chart a strong course forward by bringing together disparate views on a particular topic, hear everyone out, and chart the proper way forward. Some might scoff at this as conciliatory, but to me it is the only sane way forward given the balance between the two parties. I'd rather have incremental progress forward then to continue the partisan deadlock where each side refuses to give up anything and as a result nothing happens.

America can no longer afford this stalemate, it's time for Barack Obama's style of leadership. A leadership that shows a profoundly intelligent and nuanced view of foreign policy, domestic policy, and social issues. A leadership that will bring about a new governing majority, a more transparent government, and a more active and involved public. A leadership that believes everyone, Democrat, Republican, Independent has an important role to play in driving the debate and deciding the course to set.