Proud member of the Pizza Party: Well-rounded, fully-sliced

"My problem is that I see both sides of every issue. I'm too logical."
- Woody Allen as Boris Grushenko, Love and Death

I am a political independent. I avoid labels and parties like Hillary Clinton avoids admitting defeat. And it's not that I think we should get rid of political parties; I recognize their purpose in our government--if anything, we need more parties. But I personally prefer to take each issue individually and think and pray my way to a conclusion about what would be best to do for our country and the world.

But much like Boris Grushenko, I find myself too understanding when it comes to political issues. I struggle to choose sides because too often I can see merit in both sides--or even more often merit in a third or fourth side.

Recently I noticed that the political struggles in my mind seemed to connect me to my not-yet-realized familial roles. I'll explain with an example: Let's say, hypothetically, that the American economy is on a downturn and people are losing their jobs (hypothetically). Republicans know the answer is less government regulation and less taxes; Democrats know the answer is more regulation and more government programs like welfare and social security.

Me? The father in me wants to say, "Tough beans, kids. You knew the consequences of spending money you don't have. Things have finally caught up to you and now you need to face the problems you've created. Given the freedom, I know you'll claw your way out." Meanwhile, the grandfather in me wants to embrace everyone, tell them, "It's going to be okay my dear ones," and then pull out the ol' wallet and send them on their way; leaving everyone happy, and suddenly lacking in inheritance.

And it's when the father and grandfather in me break into their fistfights that I better understand what takes place on the floor of Congress. What I struggle to understand is how we can exist without a father or a grandfather. We can't. But who wants to grow up watching their dad and his dad break each other's noses every night?