until I matured.

My Republican credentials were very good, as well. I was a Republican advocate and could see the inner workings of campaigns and parties. I held positions of responsibility including:

Executive Director - Wisconsin College Republicans
State Chairman - Wisconsin College Republicans
7th Congressional District Field Rep - Republican Party of Wisconsin
Manager - 7th Congressional District Republican Campaign
Republican Candidate for Sheriff - Douglas County, Wisconsin
Member - Executive Committee, Republican Party of Wisconsin
Statutory Precinct Committeeman - Republican Party of Wisconsin

I became disillusioned with the party as I matured and saw the "grab-it-for-yourself-and screw-the-regular-citizen" attitude, which, by the way, is not restricted to Republicans.

Now I am independent, leaning towards independent candidates and Democrats. You could call me a conservative left-winger, in the John Locke fashion of liberalism, with Libertarian leanings and a belief that a candidate should be dragged kicking and screaming into office, rather than vice-versa, to guard against ego-maniacal office holders giving us ego-centric government.

The Cheney/Bush administration has spent seven years reinforcing this belief.