Over at the Huffington Post, Michael Smerconish explains why he's exited the Republican Party, writing, "Where political parties once existed to create coalitions and win elections, now they seek to advance strict ideological agendas." I don't know that I totally agree that that statement accurately portrays the Democratic Party, but he's right that the current level of public discourse is fairly laughable, and the general political atmosphere one of toxic stasis. His defection to "Independent" status also points out the cruel, protected self-interest of the Republican and Democratic parties alike — the ridiculous status quo that most voters still labor under. A dedicated and informed voter since 1980, Smerconish is now unable to vote in primary elections, since Pennsylvania law prohibits unaffiliated voters from "crossing over" and choosing a single party's primary in which to take part. Since reasonable congressional re-districting won't be taking place anytime soon, at the very least that needs to change, in every state in the union.