Steve Lamb is leaving the Democratic Party.

Tired of the two party rhetoric and the inability for those that are neither dyed in the wool Democrat nor Republican to have their voices heard strong and loud in the political realm, he has decided to become an Independent Candidate for the 2010 Council race. After an unofficial announcement on his Facebook page, the ripple effect soon began. Support surrounds Councilman Lamb as he transitions both personally and politically. I was so curious about what motivated this change, that I called the Councilman and both he and his lovely wife, Susan graciously accepted me into their home to have a sit down about this bold and rightful move.

I started by asking the most obvious question of why and he replied: " I made my decision because I was tired of seeing the way politics are being played as one party against the other. The focus is on drawing party lines versus the issues."

"I don't believe when there is a five- person panel that the vote has to be just 5-0. There should be room for opposition there. People should be able to oppose other's opinions and still leave the table as friends." Lamb further stated.

So the next big question is, "When is the big announcement due to come?" "Before this interview comes out", he said with his trademark smile. He will be going to the Courthouse on Monday morning and withdrawing himself as Democratic Precinct Committeeman of Precinct 6 as well as contacting Joe Broyles to inform him of his decision.

I wondered if there was any kind of personal struggle that had transpired between Councilman Lamb and the local Democratic Committee and he informed me that was not the case. He stated, " I don't think our local party is becoming anymore disorganized than any other political party across our nation. I think more people are seeing that there are good Democrats and bad just as the same within the Republican Party as well. I think more people are now wishing that they could vote Independent especially in the Primary." The Primary makes the Independent voter seem somewhat cheated."

I then inquired of Councilman Lamb about the lack of media coverage and funding as well as debate time and bias of the Independent Party seen in a large scale during this past Presidential Race. Was he concerned about this being the case here in Clay County? "I think the media is very fair here in Clay County."

He went on to say that what disappointed him the most was the Democratic Party's choice of Barack Hussein Obama as their Presidential Candidate. As a Christian, Lamb cannot see having a President that is so pro-abortion and fiscally liberal. He, as a Christian, cannot support or vote for such a person who is the antithesis of his Biblical views. That is not to say that Councilman Lamb does not support the Office of President in our Country, he merely does not support the views of our current Administration put in place by the Democratic Party.

I was curious as to whether Councilman Lamb had even for a moment, considered running as a Republican or was it known to him that it would be Independent only. He said, "It was going to be Independent. I was taught in my younger years that you go with the family flow. If your family is Democratic, then you are as well. However, that belief, I believe, is fading fast. People don't know which way to turn anymore because there are equally good Republican Candidates as bad and the same within the Democratic Party as well."

Does he believe that the current Officials coming back as Incumbents are in fear of losing their positions due to the public being so fed up with what they are seeing done both on the local and national stages? "Absolutely. I can see this next election coming up the opposite of everyone that is in Office now. I can see a lot of people being voted out and some longtime, good politicians that have made the right choices in the past, becoming simply victims of circumstance." I asked him if there was anyone currently in Office here in Indiana that if given the chance, he would sit down and tell him or her in a straightforward fashion they were going the wrong way and he replied simply, "A lot of them."

"I've done a lot of things in my life that were wrong and I've taken God with me in some pretty nasty places, but all that has changed. I wish everyone could see the world through someone's eyes who is trying to be the best Christian they can be, the way they vote, what they support and what they don't. I don't wish to make this whole interview a "religious" theme, but Christ is coming and some won't be going with Him. Get right or be left." "I want what is best for all my constituents be they Democrat, Republican or Independent!"

Councilman Lamb ended our conversation by stating a quote by the great poet Maya Angelou. "I'm not the person I could be, but thank God, I'm not the person I once was!"

I was impressed with Councilman Lamb. He is a man of great conviction with courage and a straightforward manner that is lacking in many areas of the political arena. As I went to leave, I was given the pleasure of one last quote and that was from Susan Lamb, "I love my husband and he is the best husband in the world! I support him in whatever he does."

Good luck to you Steve, it's time an Independent voice was heard loud and clear in Brazil and Clay County as a whole.

Karen Meister can be reached at: ksframeofmind@yahoo.com .