Perspective: Unaffiliated voters have a voice in Colorado’s primary election.

Driven by the constant bickering, gamesmanship, and growing extremism within each party — not to mention the lack of action that characterizes Congress and our state Legislature — thousands of Coloradans are abandoning their political parties. It’s no surprise that unaffiliated voters are now the largest block of voters at 38 percent and growing.

My own political journey is not unlike that of other unaffiliated voters.

I was raised a “Roosevelt and Kennedy Democrat.” My Dad, now 100 years old, is a product of the Great Depression, a decorated veteran of World War II, and an accomplished businessman. He has known struggle and bad times. We have talked endlessly about America’s vision to be a “free and great society.” Today, however, the Democratic Party continues to push for the growth of an already enormous government through endless regulations and entitlements. The party has become increasingly hostile to businesses, business people and free markets.

Attracted by the commitment to make government smaller, to protect our liberty and freedom, and to demand financial discipline, I left the Democratic Party and registered as a Republican.

However, what I found was a party mired in ultra-conservative social politics, litmus tests, and absolutely no regard for the so-called “big tent” championed by Ronald Reagan. It’s a party where constructive dialogue is pushed aside for dogmatic rhetoric. Republicans unwilling to subscribe to the social platform are labeled “RINOs” — Republicans in Name Only. In 2016, I experienced this first-hand during my run for the U.S. Senate.

Even more disheartening, neither party has the political will to address our growing debt. They simply cannot resist spending our money. The $4 trillion budget Congress just passed will add at least $1 trillion to our existing $20 trillion national debt. The greatest threat facing America is not North Korea, Iran or global warming; it is a return to normalized interest rates which will drive up the cost to service our debt. This increased cost will consume almost all of our discretionary budget dollars, including money needed for our defense.

Democrats seem determined to raise taxes and spend more money. Republicans seem determined to cut taxes and spend more money.

My personal tipping point came at the unwillingness of both parties in Congress to act on immigration. Lawmakers on both sides won’t stop the partisan bickering long enough to resolve the state of limbo for dreamers, young immigrants hoping to gain legal status. This is more than dysfunctional. It’s cruel.

Sadly, our country is acutely polarized around partisan politics to the point that sociologists describe America as living in tribes. Democrats and Republicans alike draw lines in the sand and are terrified to negotiate or compromise. This intense partisanship comes at the expense of our country and our state. Our legislators are paralyzed.

Yes, unaffiliated voters are dissatisfied with both parties. We want leaders who are committed to solving problems without the limits of partisan politics. We want common sense, pragmatic solutions. We want results. And now we have a voice. For the first time, Colorado unaffiliated voters can vote in primary elections, and we should.

Unaffiliated voters can be catalysts for change and common sense. But only if we vote.

Historically, only a small number of the most extreme members of both parties vote in primary elections — on average less than 30 percent of eligible voters have cast ballots. In the past, moderates have stayed home and unaffiliated voters have been barred from the voting booth. Voting rules have changed, but things will change only if we vote.

Colorado’s primary election season ends on June 26. Cast your ballot today. Remind candidates that there is a vocal and active middle. Help restore some degree of sanity and rational behavior to Colorado politics.