Bernie Sanders provides clear-eyed reason why he urges some Americans to run as independents.

[thought crime]

23. Splitting hairs.

It’s actually possible, and perhaps preferable, to mix up the various “lanes” you refer to, because the faulty American political system requires creation of broad informal coalitions before an election. Was FDR a Socialist? He was pretty good at crossing those lanes. For me, the important distinction is the understanding that government can provide goods and services where markets tend to fail, but I’d be happy to go further toward Democratic Socialism. I’m not afraid of the S-word. Does that make me a Socialist? (Maybe). I like Mitt Romney’s sense of humor. Does that make me a Republican? (No, No, No!)

And I forgot another label I would be happy to have pinned on me: AOC Democrat.