I went through a country music phase a few years ago. Yes, even with Toby Keith and all that stupid “boot in your ass, it’s the American Way” nonsense country was into back when the wars were all new and shiny. I just got so sick of pop music boys whining about how “you left me, and I’m so sad, and won’t you come back” and other pathetic crap.

Sure we behave like an oligarchy, but we still are very good at proclaiming another culture’s bombastic tunes as our own as long as there are howitzer’s involved. Pat yourself on the back, like usual, America.

When I moved to Oregon from California almost a year ago, I registered to vote (of course) and left the Democratic Party. I wanted to become one of those coveted voters who didn’t have a party label: not a joiner, but among the wooed.

And I wanted to help move the Myth of the Independent Voter; you can too.

Just as a reminder, here’s what some of us are celebrating today on this wonderful anniversary of our country’s founding.