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# IndependentFL

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://independentflorida.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Pages
- [The Viability Trap](https://independentflorida.com/the-viability-trap/): “I’d vote third party if there were a viable candidate.”
- [We Deserve What We Get](https://independentflorida.com/we-deserve-what-we-get/): How many times have you heard someone complain that Republicans and Democrats have given us two terrible choices?
- [Better Conversations: Flank the Argument for a Real Conversation](https://independentflorida.com/flank-the-argument/): You know how most political arguments go.
- [Better Conversations: You Don’t Have to Change Someone’s Mind](https://independentflorida.com/you-dont-have-to-change-someones-mind/): Years ago, I had a political conversation with someone and thought very little of it afterward.
- [Ideas](https://independentflorida.com/ideas/): Independent doesn't mean the middle. It means thinking for yourself.
- [Tips for Liberals: How to Talk to Conservatives Who Disagree With You](https://independentflorida.com/tips-for-liberals/): Political conversations have a predictable problem: we usually know what the other person is going to say before they say it.
- [About Greg Martin](https://independentflorida.com/about-greg-martin/): I’m not a political scientist, campaign consultant, or party operative.
- [Services](https://independentflorida.com/services/): Our team of experts are ready to get started on your project. With a combined total of over 30yrs experience in various aspects of our industry, we know what it takes to get the job done, and done right.
- [Independent Florida Politics](https://independentflorida.com/): Politics keeps asking us to choose between two teams. Independent Florida asks what happens when neither one has earned your support.
- [Blog](https://independentflorida.com/blog-2/)
- [Tips For Conservatives:  How To Be Better Heard By The Other Side](https://independentflorida.com/tips-for-conservatives/): I don't know how many times I've watched a conservative make a point that I basically agreed with, only to think: Why did you say it like that?
- [Podcast](https://independentflorida.com/podcast/): Coming Soon!
- [History of US Political Parties](https://independentflorida.com/history-of-us-political-parties/): There are many pages that give a full detailed history of US Political Parties: Wikipedia, Government-and-Constitution.org, and more.  So why are we making another page about it?  It is important to know the history of US political parties to some extent.  You do not need to be an expert in all the timelines of each party.  However, many people take for granted that we currently have the Republicans and Democrats.  They just assume that it will always be this way.  The United States has primarily always been a 2-party system.  It has not always been the Republicans and Democrats, though.  We feel that we are on the verge of another shift in US political parties.  It just takes those of us that are frustrated with the system to take action.  Vote for something different!  Maybe in the long run, we will see a shift towards parties that actually represent our interests.  Let's look at a brief overview of these other parties.
- [Support Independent Florida](https://independentflorida.com/support-independent-florida/): Independent Florida grows when thoughtful ideas reach people who are willing to consider them. You don't have to agree with everything we publish to be part of that. In fact, thoughtful disagreement is part of the point.
- [Why Vote Third Party? A Realistic Look at the Challenges and the Path Forward](https://independentflorida.com/why-vote-for-3rd-party-candidate/): One of the most common arguments against voting third party is also the simplest: they aren't going to win. In most major American elections today, that's probably true.
- [Contact Us](https://independentflorida.com/contact-us/): Share your questions, feedback, suggestions, etc.  We are looking for contributors, so if you are interested in sharing your opinions publicly, check out this post: Contributors Wanted.  We'd love to hear from you!  Make sure to join the discussion by Following Us on Twitter or Facebook as well.
- [Is not voting at all a good option?](https://independentflorida.com/not-voting-at-all/): If your goal is to tell the political parties, “These choices suck, and neither one of you has earned my vote,” not voting may feel like the strongest rejection possible. The problem is that the parties don't have to earn a vote you aren't going to cast. They just have to win without you.
- [Lesser of Two Evils Voting: When Does the Logic Break Down?](https://independentflorida.com/voting-for-the-lesser-of-two-evils/): My question is what happens when both candidates are people you genuinely believe would do a poor job. Does being slightly less bad automatically make one of them worthy of your vote? Or is there a point where the lesser-of-two-evils argument breaks down?
- [Independent Political Resources / Links](https://independentflorida.com/resources-links/): Republican Party of Florida
- [Blog](https://independentflorida.com/blog/)
- [About Independent Florida](https://independentflorida.com/about-independent-florida/): Independent Florida started with a simple frustration: too many voters are unhappy with their political choices, but we're repeatedly told those are the choices we have to accept.
- [Independent Florida](https://independentflorida.com/independent-florida/): Are you frustrated with the partisan politics in our country today?  Do you think that there is really not much difference in the long run between the Republicans and Democrats?  You are not alone!  At Independent Florida, we feel the Democrats and Republicans have gotten comfortable with the status quo.  While their platforms and rhetoric may sound very different, the bottom line is neither group is willing to make any drastic changes.  We hear the frustration from everyone, but the question is what are we going to do about it?  Are we going to continue voting for Republicans and Democrats, or are we going to take a stand for true change?

## Posts
- [Gun Reform and the Stoneman Douglas Shooting](https://independentflorida.com/gun-reform-and-the-stoneman-douglas-shooting/): Another senseless tragedy.  Another act of mass violence that involved a gun.  More victims and loved ones yelling for someone to listen and do something to stop the next one.  More people trying to protect their right to firearms.  Wow, it's frustrating.  I'm truly sorry to the Parkland / Stoneman Douglas community for what you have been and are going through.  I will not pretend to know what it's like, and I sincerely hope that your voices and those speaking up with you can make a change in gun reform that prevents these tragedies in the future.
- [The Question Conservatives Get Wrong](https://independentflorida.com/question-conservatives-get-wrong/): Would you take $10 in spending cuts for every $1 in revenue increases?  Conservatives consistently say, "Absolutely not!"  This is the wrong answer.  The Washington Monthly, recalls all 8 Republican candidates running for president back in 2011 said they wouldn't take this deal.  Marco Rubio said that he wouldn't take this deal in an interview on The Daily Show.  It seems the presidential candidates in 2015 seemed on the same page to not take the deal.  Why not?
- [Politics lately…](https://independentflorida.com/politics-lately/): How do you guys feel about politics lately?  I know I've been frustrated and feel like it is a losing battle at times.  However, the good news is that mid-term elections are around the corner.  (Hard to believe isn't it?)  We already have some independent and 3rd party candidates that have declared their candidacies.  Check out the latest candidate list at:
- [Are you looking for info about Independent Party of Florida?](https://independentflorida.com/independent-party-of-florida-next/): Did you get a post card that you are no longer part of the Independent Party of Florida?  The bad news is the state of FL dissolved the party based on accounting issue in 2014.  However, the good news is our site: Independent Florida is not related to the Independent Party of Florida.  We are a network and group for like-minded individuals who are tired of the major parties that don't represent us anymore.
- [Would you like to share your thoughts?  We are looking for contributors!](https://independentflorida.com/independent-florida-help-wanted/): Do you follow politics and want to share your thoughts?  Do you have an independent outlook or the ability to share your thoughts in a non-partisan way?  If so, we would love to work with you!  We are looking for contributors to share local political news or commentaries on broader issues (state and national).  Guest posts and regular contributions are welcome, and we will link your blog or social profiles if there is something that you'd like to promote.
- [Response to 2016 Election Results](https://independentflorida.com/response-2016-election-results/): First, let me say Congratulations to Donald Trump.  Though he was not my preferred candidate, he will be our president, and I hope that he has a successful term and that America moves forward in a positive direction.  I truly mean that.  Focusing on the division and shortcomings is not going to benefit anyone at this point.  This is not the end of the world, but I am very motivated to make progress for a better future.  Now to my initial reactions a day after the 2016 election results...
- [Independent Candidates & Third Party Candidates in Florida Election 2016](https://independentflorida.com/independent-candidates-third-party-candidates-florida-election-2016/): These candidates will all appear on the ballot in Florida in the 2016 election.  Learn about these candidates.  Educate yourself!  We can only blame ourselves if we continue to accept poor candidates from the major parties.  There are also write-in candidates, but here we will focus on candidates whose name will actually appear.
- [Here’s what they say when you don’t vote.](https://independentflorida.com/if-you-dont-vote/): This lie goes around all the time for some reason.  Not voting is not the same as actually voting.  We support voting for 3rd party candidates to make an actual difference.  Check out the link to see why voting 3rd party or independent is a better option than not voting at all.
- [Steve Edmonds Florida House 28 Candidate](https://independentflorida.com/steve-edmonds-florida-house-28/): Steve Edmonds is a candidate for Florida House of Representatives from District 28.  This district is located northeast of Orlando and includes the Oviedo area.  Mr. Edmonds is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a master's in Political Science.  He is an adjunct professor.  He's owned several businesses, and he has goals for improving the state of Florida as a member of the Florida House of Representatives.  We recently had a chance to learn more about Steve Edmonds in an email interview with him.  Read on to find out about Mr. Edmonds, and what he would like to do as a member of the Florida House.
- [2016 Presidential Election – Now That We Have the Presumptive Nominees…](https://independentflorida.com/2016-presidential-election-nominees/): The 2016 presidential primary has been intriguing, exciting, frustrating, disappointing, and all kinds of emotions so far. Years from now, it may be a historic presidential race. We saw many ups and downs from both the Republicans and Democrats. With the candidates pretty much set, we are now seeing more interest in 3rd party candidates as well.
- [Jean-Paul Piccion US Representative District 13](https://independentflorida.com/jean-paul-piccion-us-representative-district-13/): Jean-Paul Piccion is a candidate for the US House of Representatives from District 13.  District 13 represents most of Pinellas County including, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, and the Pinellas beach communities.  Mr. Piccion is one of 4 children, and his parents are from Uruguay and Cuba.  His family moved to Redington Beach in 1998, and he has lived in Pinellas county ever since.  Piccion is currently a student and works for the Tampa Bay Rays.  He and his fiancee enjoy the beautiful Florida weather by going to the beach, softball, golf, and other outdoor activities.  We had a chance to catch up with Jean-Paul Piccion by email to learn more about his campaign and his plans as a representative in the US House of Representatives.
- [Donald Mair for Florida House of Representatives District 27 – Candidate Spotlight](https://independentflorida.com/donald-mair-florida-house-of-representatives-district-27/): Donald Mair is a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives for District 27, which is on the east coast and includes Deltona and Orange City.  He has lived in Deltona since 1996 where he worked in construction until 2010.  He is now in school for Paralegal studies, and will graduate this May.  In the future, Mr. Mair plans to help people that have legal questions, but can't afford high attorney fees, to get the answers they need.  We had the chance to talk with Donald by email regarding how he got into politics, the issues that are important to him, and the current political climate.  Read on to find out more about this independent candidate looking to represent District 27 in Tallahassee.
- [We need to change something!](https://independentflorida.com/we-need-to-change-something/): If we continue voting for the same two parties, we should not be surprised that we get the same results.  If we are wanting to see true change, we need to start voting for new systems and new parties.  Don't be afraid to vote independent or 3rd party!  If we all decide that we want to make a change and we all take action, it can happen.  Learn about the candidates and realize that there are more than 2 options.
- [Registering to vote in Florida 2016](https://independentflorida.com/registering-to-vote-in-florida-2016/): With the upcoming elections, make sure that you are registered to vote.  Registering to vote is very important if you plan to make a difference this election.  You must register at least 29 days prior to the election.