In my youth I wasn't much interested in politics. Thinking back, I think I might have even voted for Ronald Reagan, and I'm quite sure I voted for George H. W. Bush, both Republicans.

I twice-voted for Bill Clinton, twice-voted against George Bush, twice-voted for Barack Obama, voted for Hillary Clinton, voted for Joe Biden, and voted for Kamala Harris.

I consider myself a free-thinking liberal. I agree with most Democratic policies, but not always to the extent with which Democrats promote them. I also agree with some Republican policies.

About seven years ago I switched my official party affiliation from Democrat to Independent.

Here's why...

Over time, I've come to realize that Democrats don't seem to learn their lessons well.

For example, in 2024 they nominated Joe Biden for a second term as president. I felt this was a huge mistake at the time. It was clear the Joe was not as sharp as he used to be, and that old age was catching up with him. I prayed that a group of Biden's constituents, friends, and close family members would have some kind of "intervention" and convince him why he shouldn't run, but that didn't happen.

Instead, Biden destroyed any chance of Democrats winning in 2024 with his dismal debate performance where he seemed to freeze, and then offered a quasi-intelligible response. I knew at that moment that Trump would win a second term.

I have nothing but praise for Kamala Harris and the campaign she ran. I think she would make an awesome president.

But reality dictates otherwise.

America is simply not ready for a female president.

Hillary Clinton proved that in 2016.

There are still way too many misogynists in the USA, most of whom I believe are men, and they will have nothing to do with the idea of a woman running our country. They are out-of-touch, and stuck in very old, conservative belief systems which do not serve democracy well.

Now, in 2026, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez seems to be entertaining a run for president in 2028.

Sigh.

I really like Ocasio-Cortez. I don't agree with everything she says, and she's sometimes a bit too far out in "left field," but overall she's got a good head on her shoulders.

But running for president?

You've got to be kidding me!

Has she not learned the Kamala Harris lesson from 2024?

She seems truly inspired (read a recent article on The Hill entitled "Ocasio-Cortez sees confidence in her White House chances grow"), and a lot of what she says is inspiring, but it's going to take more than inspiring speeches to win the presidency. Obama gave highly inspiring and motivating speeches during his two presidential campaigns, but we are not back in 2008 or 2012. We are in the year 2026, in the middle of Trump's second term, and so much has changed.

How is it that Ocasio-Cortez can't see this?

She has great energy. I say put all of that energy into supporting a male candidate, like Gavin Newsom, or someone else. Why spend all of that energy on something when her outcome is already predetermined?

I wanted to send a message to Ocasio-Cortez but you have to be in her district in order to do that. So, I called instead and left a voice message (my only option).

Another reason I left the Democratic Party is that they always seem to want to "play nice" with Republicans. That has changed some during Trump's second term, but it's taken them way too long to figure out that they need to fight fire with fire and "play ball" like Republicans.

Democrats, WAKE UP!

You really blew it in 2024.

Please, please, PLEASE don't blow it again in 2028.