Those of you who have followed me for a year or more probably already know this, so for some, the fact that I voted for Donald Trump in 2016 is simply a reminder. For anyone following me who didn't already know that, let me say something you won't hear very often: That decision was a reflection of me and how much attention I was paying to Trump at the time. I have no excuses or anyone else to blame. Lest you think I had always voted Republican, I had voted for Barrack Obama in 2008. I mostly voted Republican. Well before the end of Trump's term, I realized what an awful mistake I had made. I immediately left the Republican Party. The things I had seen the GOP support and defend left no other choice as far as I was concerned. I make as many mistakes as anyone else. However, my early mentors taught me that when you find yourself having supported something unacceptable, leave and fight for what's right, even if it initially cuts against what you had previously supported: CHANGE. That's exactly what I did. I've never looked back. It's a decision that has made me an outcast in my hard-core Republican community. I take pride in that. I was built for it. Just know that's not how most people operate. People hate admitting fault and correcting themselves about as much as a trip to the dentist for a root canal. Of course, changing parties also involves some identity change, and getting someone to make an identity shift is one of the most challenging things in human behavior. It's usually not a successful venture. Don't waste time trying to pull Republicans away from Trump. Independents? Sure, that's far more doable. Focus primarily on getting people registered to vote and following up to ensure they do vote. The two are not the same, and registered voters...who didn't vote... are part of what brought us Trump in 2016. We can't afford that again. We can't. Treat this as seriously as the job you MUST succeed in getting after a long layoff, where bills have piled up, and financial collapse is looming just around the corner.