In 1854, the Republican Party emerged to combat the expansion of slavery into western territories. The party consisted of northern Protestants, factory workers, professionals, businessmen, prosperous farmers, and after the Civil War black former slaves.

With the election of President Ronald Reagan, he transformed his leadership into a more conservative government. He reduced social spending, pulled back regulations, increased military spending, lowered taxes, and placed our country on a strong anti-communist policy. His ideal of America was to the right side of the political scale. Those Ideals grew stronger in the years after his presidency. In 2016 Donald Trump unexpectedly became the republican flag bearer. That’s not exactly true, he began to transform the Republican party of Regan into the Party of Trump with far-right views. He threatened to abandon the party and create his own, if the establishment did not follow his lead. With his election, he wheedled so much influence, most politicians who may have been more moderate were pulled right to survive in the Grand old Party. Those that didn’t, became targets called “RINO”, Republican in name only.

The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in the world. First known as the party of the “common man”, the early Democrats stood for individual rights and state sovereignty, and opposed banks and high tariffs.

During our country’s history when it comes to politics, individuals chose party affiliation by family history or the basic beliefs of the party. At one point each of us was given the choice to vote for a straight ticket. Whichever party you checked, every candidate running in the party received your vote. No longer can you vote for a straight ticket. Is this a good thing or not. I believe so. You should view each candidate and vote by their ability to perform their jobs for which they are running. Party should not make a difference.

When I turned 18, I signed up to vote by declaring I was a democrat and also early enlisted in the military. I saw this as my obligation to be a part of this country. It was my patriotic duty. I believed the Democratic party was made up by the part of society that each morning picked up a lunch pale and went to work in blue color jobs. I figured back then as I do now, when I voted, I could still choose my candidate regardless of party affiliation. Back then, nor today do I feel the need to be part of the party in charge, those who vote should be the guiding factor. No matter what it says on your voter registration card. In America we have a choice, and I use that choice in the ballot box.

Today in our country and in our state, there is the sound of flip flopping. It is becoming a way of life inside WV politics to begin your career in one party, and when no one is looking, flip-flop into the other party. Did something earth shattering happen to change a politician’s fundamental beliefs that when they did their job, party affiliation would make it easier. Or do they believe at the next election, people won’t look for names, only party affiliation or allegiance to one person.

Some believe the Democratic party is weak, and they should jump ship and become a Republican. Many have been doing just that, thinking it’s a way to get elected or fit in. I believe most people that vote have good sense and vote for a candidate by the job they are doing, rather than, do they have a D, or an R besides their name.

I have voted for candidates from both parties and yet I am still a member of the Democrat party. Do they have everything right, “Hell No”. And neither do the Republicans. I have spoken with legislatures from both parties in Charleston about the recent legislative session. They describe the recent two-month meeting as spending more time on social issues than fixing our state infrastructure needs. When our leadership spends more time figuring which bathroom people can use, and not addressing school education or veteran needs, they are playing to the far right.

While they are spending our money deciding on which bathrooms can be used, they are forgetting that in our state outside bathrooms are still in use. Clean public water supplies and sanitary systems are in need. Prioritize the needs for the people and not the political loud.

Governor Justice first ran as a democratic candidate; once he was in office he switched to the other side. Did that move better enable him to do his job for the people of the state, or did it place him in a better political light that could benefit him in the future. He flip flopped.

I believe that I should be proud to live in a country where I can choose who to vote for and which party to support. Flip Flopping is not a way to better yourself, but to be part of the in crowd, at least that is how I see it Through the Lens.