There is a striking difference between being a member of one of the two main American political parties.

Besides the fact that most of the republicans who are in office are only working to win the next election instead of taking care of the country, there is another, deeper, more basic foundational difference.

Remember that republican saying from about 2002?

The saying: "You are either with us or against us".
Remember that?

It wasn't just a political statement, it was an edict from the republicans that "You better watch what you say and who you say it to."

That is the way of the republican party: "Fall in behind and do as we say, or else."

The party I align with, the party that I am most comfortable being a member of, is the Democratic party. I am proud to be a democrat. Democrats would never tell us you are either are with us or against us. If they did they'd be run out of town on a rail.

The leaders of my party know better than to tell we members that we better watch what we say.

We are free to be for the good and against the bad that our leaders produce.

We Democrats speak up and do not toe the masters' line like the 'good' republicans do.

No, we Democrats would never be in lockstep like the republicans are, and it makes us a bit un-jointed. My fellow members wouldn't have it any other way. That is another reason why I am proud to be a Democrat.

"I am proud to be a Democrat, where at least I know I'm free!"