Marcia Ford’s new book on independent politics was blast of much-needed fresh air. The past several months, I had gotten tired of the partisan nature of the 2008 presidential campaigns which talked a lot about the themes of “change” and “reforming Washington” but mentioned none of the actual, nuts-and-bolts reforms most contemporary political reformers advocate (such as ballot access, the National Popular Vote, Instant Runoff and alternative methods of voting, campaign finance, redistricting, voter registration reform, fusion, open primaries, etc.).

I picked up a copy of Ford’s book at a particularly low point where I was feeling discouraged about politics. It was exactly the type of pick-me-up that I needed to raise my spirits and reminded me why I am a proudly registered Independent in the first place.

Ford’s book is a first-person account of her evolution and journey from politically-minded independent voter to practicing independent activist (she might bristle at the latter label). More than just a personal chronicle, her work is also painstakingly researched and chock-full of useful information on various reform efforts, casts of characters in the reform movement nationwide, and the issues and organizations involved in these types of efforts.

She mentions players in the reform movement that I have become familiar with such as the CUIP, FairVote, Ballot Access News, etc. She also mentions and profiles the national network of independents–candidates, voters and activists–in various states and efforts by these independent activists on the local level to clean up and fix American democracy. Of particular interest to me were her mentions of influential bloggers such as Nancy Hanks (the Hankster), LaShawn Barber, and others. My original predecessor to this blog, “An Ordinary Person and Politics in America,” even gets a brief mention (it’s on page 106!).

More than a tour of independent activism, her book is also a tour of the internal life and thinking of an independent voter for whom partisanship has become inadequate in representing one’s beliefs as a citizen in a democracy. Like me, Ford has found a political home in the Independent movement as a practical expression of channeling her frustrations with the Republican and Democrat-dominated political system.

I was exhilarated by how many of the personalities, blogs, issues, and reform efforts that have resonated with me in the past several years get prominent mention in her book. The fact that a book on independent politics focuses so much on these things only confirmed to me that I am on the right track and am not alone in my thinking.

Moreover, I was absolutely blown away by many of the efforts, movements and leaders she mentions that were brand-new to me. As well-read as she is well-traveled, she has met and interviewed hundreds of independents. Her Notes, Glossary, Bibliography and Web Sites of Interest are a treasure trove of information for further reading and research.

Somewhat surprising to me was her background as an evangelical Christian and how faith informs her philosophical and moral beliefs and voting behavior. Much more than the traditional stereotype of how evangelicals are portrayed in American culture (Ford describes it as, “gay-bashing, woman-oppressing, war-supporting, anti-sex, anti-fun, anti-everything hatemongers”) Ford presents a complex and nuanced view of how actual, ordinary evangelicals wrestle with reconciling their faith and religion with hot-button issues. Of particular interest were her sections on abortion and gay marriage and how the current debates on these issues are framed is inadequate in addressing them and distracts us, as citizens, from more pressing and immediate issues such as the economy, the environment, the Iraq war, etc.

Written by an actual, bonafide Independent, We the Purple is very different from most other political books out there in the market. If you are a Democrat or a Republican seeking to understand the mindset of Independents (and learn a whole lot about political reform in the process) you can’t go wrong by picking up a copy of Marcia Ford’s book.

One item to note: the book isn’t found in the Politics section of the bookstore. I actually picked up mine from the Religion section. I know that Ford devotes a great deal of her book to the intersection of religion and spiritual beliefs with politics. But don’t let that fool you-We the Purple rightly belongs in the Politics section.

Marcia Ford also blogs at We the Purple and the Postmodern Misfit. The publisher’s web site on the book can also be accessed online.

The Liberal Arts Dude gives We the Purple five stars out of five!