pros and cons of being an independent voter

Independent contractors also don't get these benefits that employees typically enjoy: Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. And sometimes these can be great. If he didnt belong in the Democratic race, then why was he there? Theres multiple benefits to being registered as an independent. If you're not registered either Democrat or Republican, you might be having a tough time voting. (East Herts People.). But the good news is that there's still time to fix your registration. Aside from Obama (and maaaaybe GWB if you squint hard enough), that wasn't true since Mondale in 1994. However, usually if no one else has been interacting with you or looking at your work, you may be completely ambivalent to the things youre not doing right. , ThoughtCo, 3 July 2019, www.thoughtco.com/most-successful-independent-presidential-candidates-3367561. But is being independent as good as its cracked out to be? #PrimaryGhosts for #Bernie, #NYPrimary lawsuit filer says if u are reg independent, GOP voting in Dem prim leave section asking u 2 sign afadavit you're a DEM BLANK. @chrislhayes explains why Ivanka Trump is right about voting in NY - it's a disaster. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton described the long lines to US Attorney General Loretta Lynch: "Throughout the county, but especially in Phoenix, thousands of citizens waited in line for three, four, and even five hours to vote.". Being an independent contractor has its rewards, and whether it's worth it for you depends on the pros and cons. Gallup. But you should know there are a lot of local elections by which you could have a larger impact. So a group called Election Justice USA filed an emergency lawsuit. Recent church culture has encouraged single-issue lobbying more than relational participation in politics. Being totally independent of party you can vote for anyone you want to without feeling like you committed adultery. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for insurance agents was over $52,000 in 2020. But you can also vote for nobody, because, again, nobodys stopping you. While its true change happens slowly, we can make that change by being willing to stand up for the working lower class. But both tend to have lower voting turnout than the average voter, particularly in Mid-term elections. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Being an independent contractor has its advantages over being an employee. Pros and Cons of Independents. East Herts People, www.ehpeople.org/about-us/independant-politicians/pros-and-cons-independants. If you are Republican, you don't have to choose between being a regular or Tea Party Republican. . Workers are generally considered independent contractors when: Some states like California impose more stringent requirements for classifying workers as independent contractors, and lawmakers at the state and federal levels change or add new tests from time to time. While Alabama is now staunchly Republican, it was once staunchly Democrat under Franklin Roosevelt's 12 year presidency. BTW, the concept of super-delegates in D convention was specifically designed to address the concern of electing Mondale-like "party hardcore favorites" in the primaries. The confusion plus the weird registration problems plus the fact that only registered Dems and Repubs can vote in the primary equals 3 million New Yorkers being unregistered with either major party. ", Internal Revenue Service. Because they didn't register in time. I'm registered currently as an independent. , Gallup, 30 Nov. 2017, news.gallup.com/poll/101905/gallup-poll.aspx. We fight for our right to do it on our own, but is it always a good thing? I've heard that in some states (citation needed), only voters registered to a specific party may vote in the corresponding primary elections. Choose the kind of work they take and the companies they work for, Set different terms and pay rates for various clients, and, Own the intellectual property rights to work they create, such as art, music, or software, unless the parties sign a contract that specifies that the works belong to the client company. Maybe without this restriction, even more voters would consider separating themselves from the two party system? The 5 Most Successful Independent Presidential Candidates in History. ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 3 July 2019, www.thoughtco.com/most-successful-independent-presidential-candidates-3367561. You might earn more as an independent contractor, and the tax benefits can include deducting your business expenses. There's a lot of disagreement over whether closed or open primaries are fairer and better. ", National Association for the Self-Employed. By contrast, independent contractors are responsible for paying their taxes directly to the state and federal government. They offer an alternative to the usual parties we see so heavily in the media these days. People looked up to Sanders because he advocated change. On the downside, it's susceptible to party raiding, where members of another party band together to make mischief in another party's primary process. Sanders suspending his campaign additionally meant Joe Biden would be the Democratic candidate for the 2020 electionthough not officially, as Sanders is still on the primary ballots, but is unlikely to secure votes. Independent contractors submit invoices for their work rather than working for a specific Pros and Cons of Being an . 1 would be considered an employee because the company has retained most of the control over the means and methods for getting the job done. Independent candidates in national elections often focus on a single issue, or a narrow range of issues. And it does seem a bit backwards that in order for a vote to count, you have to identify yourself on the political binary, but I dont think that is necessarily a bad thing. Another difference between employees and ICs is that employees receive wages or salaries subject to withholding taxes like federal income tax. How good is it when people are so free in their own life that they dont just have enough for them whether it be finances, emotions, time, or otherwise but they have enough to give to others? They are giving up voting on who gets to represent each party at all. There is something inherently problematic about voting for a candidate that doesnt back policies you support, expresses behavior that you find inappropriate or undesirable and may not even support your existence solely because of the party they belong to. Waits up to five hours to vote, registrations mysteriously being switched to independent so people couldn't vote #ArizonaPrimary #notok, People showed as independent &republican when they had changed to democrat &being turned away after hours #VoterSuppression #ArizonaPrimary, #ArizonaPrimary #ArizonaElectionFraud #Bernie2016 #BernieSanders #Independent #Democrat #Republican #Primary pic.twitter.com/pN3buTAIlY. Others wont want to compromise deeplyheld principles. PRO: Your Income Potential is Unlimited. First off, you dont have to be pressured by one party or another to vote a specific way. Catalans might be part of Spain with the current borders, but the culture is unique when compared to the rest of the country. Why are non-Western countries siding with China in the UN? Because in all our previous experience, weve just risen above it and learned to make do. (Intellectual property rights typically belong to the employer when the work is created by an employee, except in the case of patents, which are owned by the employee. If the county doesn't provide enough polling locations to serve their citizens, is that voter suppression? Are there advantages to my being registered as an independent in the US? To help you network, gain expertise, and receive discounts on insurance and other self-employment expenses, consider joining professional organizations such as the National Association for the Self-Employed. Ultimately, this system of government has its pros and cons. Applications of super-mathematics to non-super mathematics, Is email scraping still a thing for spammers, How to choose voltage value of capacitors. Flexibility. You might earn more as an independent contractor, and the tax benefits can include deducting your business expenses. Independent contractors must fund 100% of their Medicare and Social Security taxes, health insurance, and retirement. However, being an independent contractor can come with more responsibility. So I am a person whose extremely weary of independents because Ive seen many of my apolitical friends use this as a cop out and excuse for not voting since they just cant in the primary so now Im annoyed in the general. Therefore feeling disenfranchised (denied of their right to vote). But I did touch on cons of this so I feel justified in bringing this up now. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not one of them. However, being your own boss can have downsides, too. We no longer have left and right, blue and red, Democrats and conservatives, but rather three parties, with progressives and socialists forming their own sphere. Bernie Sanders was a Democrat in name only. Let this be a lesson for all: learn your local election laws! One of the great rites of passage that isnt always as defined as a rite is the acquisition of our independence. somehow the 'vote as often as legal' comment amuses me. On social issues I mostly support one side, but I lean towards the other side on many other issues; and ultimately I have no strong allegiance to either party and am frustrated whenever I see views that seem partisan or too extreme to either side, in short I think I truly am an independent at heart, not just on paper. It's important when considering independent contract work to understand the pros and cons of working as an independent contractor. Also, you might need to pay for your own tools and equipment as well as establish a federal and state tax ID number. We no longer have left and right, blue and red, Democrats and conservatives, but rather three parties, with progressives and socialists forming their own sphere. Event planner No. Additional Responsibility. John Steven Niznik writes about careers and other job-related topics. You can still be and call yourself an independent. 1. Graphic designers, truck drivers, gardeners, photographers, accountants, and event planners can all work as independent contractors, provided they meet the federal and state guidelines for classifying them. Considering we're generally in a 2-party system, the fewer voters who are registered as one or the other, the more likely candidates will try to appeal to the larger population, rather than just their "base". Again anecdotally, the independent vote in Florida tends to either lean Libertarian, or strongly leftist-progressive. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. Why does Jesus turn to the Father to forgive in Luke 23:34? Why should they have to vote for anyone? When Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the 2020 United States Presidential Race on April 8, the fallout was palpable, especially among those who identify as independent. Theme "Anarcho Notepad" designed and engineered by Arthur (Berserkr) Gareginyan. We recognise there are many creative and dedicated Christians working for and lobbying on a range of causes, but we would like to see more of that energy and commitment working on the inside of politics too. You may also be responsible for buying the tools and equipment needed for your profession. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Do you think its a good thing or a bad thing? But there were problems. (US House/Senate). Apparently my voter registration (less than a year old) has been purged. We werent made to do it alone. Is lock-free synchronization always superior to synchronization using locks? In general, independent contractors are required to report income or losses from their business on IRS Schedule C, and they report Social Security and Medicare taxes on Schedule SE (Form 1040 or 1040-SR ), Self-Employment Tax. (John Morton/Flickr). It really does suck that in most states, Independents cant vote for primaries. Become an Independent Voter at Your Own Risk. Des Moines Register, The Des Moines Register, 5 Jan. 2018, www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2018/01/04/become-independent-voter-your-own-risk/1004582001/. In the wake of sexual assault allegations against Biden by former aide Tara Reade, many on the left rallied against Biden being the Democratic candidate. Ive worked on a number of software development projects in a number of different organizations state and federal government agencies, larger companies, and even those smaller projects on the side. About a half million people in California meant to register as independents, but accidentally registered with an ultraconservative party instead. Every project and stakeholder offers unique experiences. (Classroom.) Colorado's more than 1 million officially unaffiliated voters now outnumber Republicans and Democrats in the state. The way I see it--even after reading the informative article that Napalm provided--is that the individual has less voting power in an electoral college system. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Once you've determined the amount of tax you owe, you can send your payment to the IRS by mail or by making your payment electronically on the IRS website. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. How is "He who Remains" different from "Kang the Conqueror"? Nobodys stopping you. . ), This is slightly off topic in that this is a pro for having an Independent actually run for president. So I'm wondering if there is an advantage to staying true to my actual political views and staying an independent, as opposed to picking one side at random to register as so I can have some sort of say in presidential elections via voting in the primaries. One of the greatest benefits of being an independent consultant is flexibility. Here are the pros and cons of independent contracting. Right now, independents can certainly run, but they face a low likelihood of winning as they're labeled "spoilers" who will make it harder for the similar, mainstream candidate to win a race. Schmidt, Steffen. "Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee? Thanks again for your writings. This article was written by Holly Epstein Ojalvo and originally appeared on Kicker. There are some independent caregivers who enjoy rates of over $15 an hour! Independent contractors are required to pay income taxes on the profits of their business and a self-employment tax (a required contribution to Social Security and Medicare). The 5 Most Successful Independent Presidential Candidates in History.. Having your own rules to live by. Because people wont vote for the third party. Many of Sanders supporters felt his chances at the presidency had been smeared and interfered with by liberal media and fellow former Democratic presidential candidates. Is it good or bad to be an independent in a partisan political climate? As an independent myself, I think the biggest pro is that you lose the affiliation with a party. Way to go #NewYork. Here are six advantages to being an independent case manager: 1. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. If I were registered Republican or Democrat, I could at least vote in the primaries, and in so doing have a say on which candidates are chosen to compete for the presidency, but as an independent I am not allowed to vote in either sides primaries. As a result, when we have an attitude of independence, it usually means were not good as asking for help when we need it. Another con of being registered as an Independent is that people feel they have less of if no voice. (There are actually two different physical ballots, one for each party.) When many people expressed distaste toward voting for Biden over Trump, choosing instead to withhold their vote or vote third party, they were met with a barrage of Democratic supporters repeating the same phrase: V. When voters in 2016 were surveyed on why they supported their specific candidate, Clinton or Trump, : I dont like either, but Im voting for the lesser evil., There is something inherently problematic about voting for a candidate that doesnt back policies you support, expresses behavior that you find inappropriate or undesirable and may not even support your existence solely. Could very old employee stock options still be accessible and viable? On #PrimaryDay, I no longer exist. , www.ehpeople.org/about-us/independant-politicians/pros-and-cons-independants. It shouldnt be about party allegiance. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. If our independence is complete isolation, then we probably wont get this far cause well be too obsessed with our own needs and priorities. It gives me an image of independents sneaking in to voting booths with a bunch of different silly costumes to vote 10 times an election :), Didn't you know? While its true change happens slowly, we can make that change by being willing to stand up for the working lower class. The Trump kids aren't the only ones who weren't up to speed on what they needed to do to make sure they could vote in the NY primary on April 19th. Trump's kids cant vote for him in the NY primary. I was a registered #voter. The drawbacks to being an independent contractor include more responsibility. Ability to choose clients While hospital or agency administrators might assign their case managers a list of patients to work with, independent case managers can choose their own client list based on their areas of specialty and desired work amount. But voters are moving to care more about issues, rather than parties. California's primary is on June 7th. Some activists in Arizona are demanding a revote. Sanders had been pegged by many Democratic voters as too socialist, loud and abrasive, along with many other words. Specifically the 'as legal' part. While working as an electrician can be a rewarding career, it comes with safety concerns and hazards. Many people can't wait in line for hours on end to vote, for a range of reasons. List of the Pros of the Catalan Independence Vote and Referendum. ", U.S. Department of Labor. Theres something calming and uplifting in your analyses. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The benefits of being a registered independent. You will essentially be your own boss. @jbouie No, we chose to have a system where if you don't belong to 1 of 2 major parties your voice is diminished. While there is a lot of freedom that comes with being an independent contractor, there is also a great deal of responsibility that comes with it. Politicians have to appeal to everyone. Independent Contractor Explained, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes. Its definitely a good thing to be able to take care of yourself. Many of Sanders' supporters felt his chances at the presidency had been smeared and interfered with by liberal media and fellow former Democratic presidential candidates. There are some challenges that are too big for just us. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. Pros. When youre starting, apply to agencies that can connect you with contract work. Over to you what are your views on independence? With the 2020 election, we have begun to see more than two parties. But we also recognise that some Christians will want to stand as Independent candidates. It Continue Reading Sponsored by Sane Solution Which States Use an Open Primary Election?. I do have to make a critique, however. The drawbacks to being an independent contractor include more responsibility. If its just you, then what happens when youre not able to be there? Advantages of being an independent contractor over being an employee include more control since you're your own boss. For example, people registered under the Democrats are tied to the socialist, liberal ideologies that cover the extremes of the Democratic Party even if the person doesnt believe in them. Another con of the Electoral college is that it leaves many unrepresented for. Here are 6 pros and cons of being independent. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. When youve been independent so long, it can be hard to change your mindset to incorporate others. Plurality systems tend to underrepresent small parties in parliament. Most caregivers who are hired through franchise agencies earn less than $10 an hour. Courts and governments use a variety of tests to determine when a worker can be classified as an independent contractor. All rights reserved (About Us). Progressives and independents are told a vote for the third party is a vote for Trump, or any other Republican or majority candidate. Possibly due to lack of enthusiasm in the political process. And now there's a lawsuit over this issue. Independent voters in numerous states are struggling with the system. Independent contractors can do almost any job, from gardeners to graphic designers. It resonates with me because, despite being independant to a fault, I feel that in many ways personal success is related to having the ability to be a part of a community, club or whatever. But in Arizona's Maricopa County -- home to Phoenix, the state capital -- the lines to vote were so long that many people say it amounted to voter suppression. R primaries selected Romney, McCain, and Reagan, not Cain, Keyes/Huckabee or Robertson. Statistically, it doesnt even make sense. Setting up your own business as an independent contractor requires an investment of time and energy, but the risk can pay off handsomely. So if you're an independent who's been following the campaigns and recently made up your mind -- or if you just weren't aware of the registration deadline -- you're left out in New York. Including some celebs, like Emma Stone, Kaley Cuoco, and Demi Moore. 8 Ways To Be Physically Distant But Socially Connected, My Problem With How We Worship Being Single, 5 Emotional Games We Need To Stop Playing, Uh Oh, Nintendo: 5 Reasons The Switch Isnt Looking Great. Ackermann Function without Recursion or Stack. If its just your independent self, theres a good chance that youre not going to be able to generate enough to really make a lasting difference. (The deadline for new voters to register was more recent, in March.). The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) held its public hearings last week over two days, with commissioners hearing from organisations and residents on the negative and positive impacts from holiday letting. Maybe youve had to be the emotionally strong one because there hasnt been anyone else to do it for you. Why? Dear Editor, Triangle Productions presentsMe & Tammy So if you're an independent who's been following the campaigns and recently made up your mind -- you're left out. In North Carolina, for example, a voter registered as an independent can choose which primary they wish to vote in. Other advantages may be longer-term or larger scale. Advantages of hotel chains = disadvantages for the independent hotel. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Most people have considered striking out on their own at some point in their career. The IRS provides Form 1040 ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, to help you determine if you are required to pay quarterly taxes and the amount you should pay. I sort of would rather stay independent, both because it's more honest and because I kind of prefer not to have the moral obligation of participating in primaries, since I generally hate all politics and view political debates as an exercise in saying nothing as prettily as possible. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Murse, Tom. Youre all grown up now, you can be taken seriously. Regardless of the label, all are essentially the same in practice, including a self-employed designation when it comes to U.S. tax purposes. You no longer have to be labeled. First off, some background: as of September 2019, according to Gallup Polling, thirty one percent of Americans identified as Democrat, twenty nine percent identified as Republican, and thirty eight percent identified as Independent. Here are three different problems going on in 3 different states. Yes, a two-party system can be divisive, but it can also allow people (non-Independents) to find their voice in a political community. Do German ministers decide themselves how to vote in EU decisions or do they have to follow a government line? "Fact Sheet 13: Employment Relationship Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Sanders had been pegged by many Democratic voters as too socialist, loud and abrasive, along with many other words. So come on over to the independent side this November 4. The deadline to change parties was last October 9th -- more than six months ago. Agencies may also charge you acommission, which will reduce your compensation (although you can deduct it on your tax returns). Maybe that just shows us a real flaw in our attitude in that we dont actually know how to do things with others. However, the thing is we do not choose our leader. Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee?

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pros and cons of being an independent voter