Hollywood Popular Artists

Apr 23rd 2012, 18:07

45 million 18-29 year olds will be eligible to vote in this year's presidential election, representing the largest potential voting bloc in the country. Learn more about the issues, register to vote and get involved with MTV's Power of 12. Today, we've got another "Jargon Buster" for you.

independent voter: someone who does not register or affiliate with any specific political party, rather who chooses candidates on case by case base.

When Ne-Yo and Kelly Clarkson belt about "Miss Independent" and Destiny's Child stamped the "Independent Woman" on our pop culture memory, could it be that they were actually singing about voters who refused to squeeze their views into a predefined political checkbox? Were they really singing about the 30 percent (give or take) of Americans who aren't Republicans or Democrats or Green, but instead non-party people.

In politics, as in pop songs, independence means freedom. The upside is that voters don't have to feel constrained to the same old red and blue shenanigans year after year. They can make choices as they go along based on issues and each candidate rather than ideological blankets. The downside is that because they are, by definition, noncommittal, independent voters won't make much of a dent in the system at large. Independents don't exactly pack our Senate and House of Representatives. They aren't exactly known for making waves in polls or leadership positions.

Then again, George Washington -- el numero uno, if you will -- kicked off this country as our first and, to date, only independent President. Soooo ... it can be done. Ne-Yo? Kelly? Perhaps one of y'all could rise to the challenge ...

 

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