Why I skipped the Bernie rally

Or, the system is really broken, you guys

Bernie Sanders came to Portland the morning. It was announced earlier this week. I didn't go. I worked, so that's a worthy excuse, but I wouldn't have gone anyway. Here's why.

My vote doesn't matter.

Not in the way you think. I actually DO think every vote counts, but I don't get a vote in this case.

Oregon, like 32 other states, has a closed or mixed primary system, and here that means that you have to be registered with the party to vote. I've never felt kin to either major party; and as a matter of principle have never declared a party affiliation.

I got a letter in the mail this week. The gist was:

You have three ways to vote!

1 - Register for a party!

2 - Vote Independent Party!3 - Don't vote!Be still my beating heart. This is what gets the major parties further and further away from moderation. In the Primaries, everyone has to cater to the extremes of their base, because they don't open up to the people not already in it. Then they have to spend the rest of the election cycle finally trying to work for my vote, and others in the same boat, most of whom are nonplussed at this point. Tiny fractions of the population being the ones eligible to vote for the top two candidates in major elections is a massive problem, and one that I don't think gets talked about nearly enough.
Stupid.
Also, you do need to vote for the other races, too. No one gets to the top seats on the first try, seasoned politicians start local, then raise their profile gradually. Be sure you choose yours wisely.

North Carolina - I...can't even. Furious sad.

https://ballotpedia.org/Closed_primary
http://investmentwatchblog.com/list-of-closed-primary-states-only-voters-registered-for-the-party-which-is-holding-the-primary-may-vote/