There is a difference in basic philosophy of the political parties today — one is classified as liberal, another as conservative, and a third as middle of the road.

When I chose my party affiliation, I went with this basic appeal to the party of my choice. What party supports a woman’s right to control her body or is it the state’s function? What party’s economic thinking is in line with mine — pump the money into the top and let it seep down or pump the money into the bottom and let it seep up?

Choose a political party that is akin to your basic thoughts, and affiliate with that party.

As of the year 2000, the voting-age population of Monmouth County is 454,959 — of this number, 378,268 are registered to vote, but only 241,479 cast a vote in the presidential election of 2000.

Of the 378,268 people registered to vote, 71,251, or 18.836 percent, are Democrats, 71,207 or 18.824 percent are Republicans, and 235,015 or 62 percent are not affiliated with either party.

The basis for establishing party affiliation is by two means: declare party affiliation when you register to vote, or declare party affiliation when one votes in a primary election. The 235,015 registered people without party affiliation do not take part in selecting which candidate will represent a particular party in the November election.

In my opinion, one of the reasons to affiliate with a party is the ability to choose the party candidates for the general election in November. The main reason to affiliate is, of course, your ability to shape the philosophy of the party of your choice.

Stanley M. Robins

Ocean