So I hear that Bernie Sanders isn't really a Democrat

[genxlib]

7. The phenomenon you describe isn't a good thing

When people get frustrated and leave the parties, they are simply ceding the power to those that stay in the party. This move towards people registering for independent status just means they don't get to participate in choosing the candidates.

Then, the hard core believers who stay are picking candidates that are more and more outside the mainsteam. Those independents then go to vote in the general election and find themselves disgusted with the choices. Which only further drives them away. It is a death spiral of disgust and apathy.

This has happened in extreme measure to the Republican Party for sure. Sane moderates have left which means only the drooling mouth breathers pick the candidates. But the Democratic Party certainly suffers from it as well from a lesser degree.

Of course the answer would be to break the lock of the two party system but that simply isn't in the cards in the foreseeable future.

I don't care how frustrated I am with the Democratic Party, I will never become an independent. Doing that just makes you a self imposed exile while other people decide your fate.

In the immortal words of Neil Peart..."Those who choose not to decide, still have made a choice".