In Season One of TV’s True Detective, actors Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson deliver the following exchange:

McConaughey: “In philosophical terms I am what is called a pessimist.”

Harrelson: “Ummm…okay.  What does that mean?”

McConaughey: “It means I’m bad at parties.”

I enjoyed McConaughey’s character – because I identified with his self-assessment.

I too am bad at parties.  And not just the social kind.  The political Parties as well.

I have long been a man without a political Party.  Certainly as the Republican and Democrat Parties are constituted nationally.  And since DC has spent the last many decades usurping as much state and local power as possible?  The down ballot Parties more and more resemble the national ones. (more…)