TB,

I have often thought about what your wife said and I believe she is wrong.  By her reasoning, every time one doesn't vote for the winning candidate, the vote is wasted.  Additionally, just because one joins and/or register's for a party doesn't mean one has to vote for that party.  It only means something in the primaries.  In an open primary independent or unaffiliated vote in whatever primary they choose, regardless of party.  I believe voting for the "blank" because one is a "blank" is part of what has us in our political malaise now.  Thanks for the reply.  Yours and Paul's responses help clarify my thoughts for me.