There was a time in my past when being a party girl seemed to refer to someone who was good at drinking, necking, and playing games that may have begun with necking. My freshman year at a private college, the school sponsored a get-acquainted dance using computer matches to mix the incomers up. For most, the idea worked. The so-called passion pits in the frat houses were busy. Meanwhile, I was told I couldn’t be matched–not a surprise since I am now and always have been independent. At the time, I figured that was because I had attended three different high schools in three different towns and had no automatic affiliations. I didn’t adhere to trends. I wasn’t a follower. I own my choices, even the bad ones. The concept of Greek houses felt restrictive to me. I transferred to a bigger school.
Currently, many religions, universities, and political parties depend on loyalty. The two-party system operates like athletic teams. Some memberships are family legacies. Members wear t-shirts or hats or carry banners to advertise. Proponents are willing to fight opponents. According to my emails, every citizen must choose one of the two parties and then be willing to go into hopeless debt to support it. Voters seem to ignore the relative values of different candidates. Money runs the country. Principles that were once touted as the bases of each party have been trampled, if they ever existed as prime directives. Party faithfuls who clutch ideals that formerly defined the party can be smeared, mocked, and even threatened by louder voices secretly backed by larger bankrolls.
I’ve read that the electorate is beginning to feel disillusioned with the old two-party (only weirdos back a fringe group) traditions. People are beginning to notice that they’ve backed people they wouldn’t invite into their homes. They definitely wouldn’t allow the candidate to be alone with their children. Favors they expected didn’t materialize. They may be paying for luxuries that don’t serve them or the country. Some have died for leaders that let them down.
No, I’m not a party girl. I am not Republican or Democrat. If I vote for a candidate who belongs to one party or the other, it’s because I think that person may be a preferable representative of what I endorse. I believe they work for me, not the other way around. I realize I’m not always correct because truth doesn’t flow freely in what was once called “The Land of the Free,” so deciding is difficult. If I send a donation, it targets a particular cause not a party. Wars have been fought in the name of parties—including the names of religions. I think God or Source or whatever you call the ultimate power hopes I’ll be worthy of the trouble it took to create my life. I’m here to link arms with other people who want simply to build more cooperation, compassion, and love into the fabric of human existence. Wars diminish humanity. I’m with the lead characters in the film DISCLOSURE DAY. My party is huge, multicultural and multidimensional. That’s enough for me.
