COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
In advance of the non-partisan city council election last year, one local Republican club held a “closed” debate in which only registered Republicans were invited to participate. Unfortunately for those who attended the “semi-debate,” they did not have an opportunity to hear from Amelia Graves, the candidate who wound up receiving the second most votes in the election. Coming in behind Richard Winger, Graves trounced the rest of the field. This year, there is a registered Independent in the race. Will Republicans hold a forum this year? If so, will they exclude “Independent” thinking?
In a column I wrote last week addressing this question, I also reported that members of the local Republican Executive Committee must take an oath swearing to support only Republican candidates, even in what are supposedly non-partisan elections. One member of the local REC pointed out to me that Democrats must take a similar oath. Point taken. Narrow-minded, pin-pointed, petty partisanship abounds and is choking the life out of our political system. As Mike Hendricks of the Kansas City Star wrote, “It is never a sign of strength when your group starts imposing loyalty oaths.”
Today’s hyper-partisanship is not strengthening our democracy. It is tearing apart a system of government designed to be lubricated by compromise and collaboration, not by blind party loyalty.
Below are the loyalty oaths required of officers serving in the Republican and Democrat parties. I cannot help but wonder, in those instances where their conscience tells them their party’s nominee is not the most qualified to serve, how do strident partisans reconcile their oath of party loyalty with their pledge of allegiance to the United States of America?
Indian River Guardian 
Is the Democratic Party oath the same – or very similar? We are all U.S. Citizens – with different viewpoints. Frankly, mine don’t match up with either party, and I’ve gotten to the point where it doesn’t bother me to point out any problems I have with either one. Winning an election seems to be all that matters, and it annoys me that some candidates are likely to say whatever it takes to win–and we voters really want to believe what he/she says. Perhaps “To the victors go the spoils” but when we’re talking serious, civilized outcomes to problems, we can all be victors if we choose who we truly believe is the better choice–based on track record and believability. Otherwise, we might all end up as losers.
Both oaths are included at the bottom of the story.
Political party oaths have diminished effect in an electorate process that now includes a significant rise in those self-identifying as Independents. Per our Supervisor of Elections Leslie Swan the latest voter registration in rounded off numbers is 27,000 registered Democrats, 44,000 registered Republicans, and 25,000 registered Independents. The cutoff date for newly registered voters or voters wishing to change their political identification is October 6th. The absentee ballots for those not living in the USA have already been mailed.
I must be going blind. I only see the Republican Party oath
looks like it will be pointess for me to vote this election locally.im not supporting that. I would like the option of voting whom is best for the job without party affiliations in mind. im not fan of the left nor right these days. not that there is much of a difference.