I wasn't going to respond to this, but if you insist on touting the Republican get-together, under an article about LWV political forums, then I will go ahead and make an observation. 

 If there is a such a thing as an Independent Republican (does that mean they aren't supporting the party's pick for president?) then that must mean there are Independent Democrats, Independent Libertarians (though they already seem pretty independent) and who knows what else. Months ago, you assured me that I wasn't really an independent. Now the GOP seems to be full of them. 
As Alice said, "Curiouser and curiouser!”