Why protect parties over individuals?

My question is still this, “When did the constitutional right to assemble become the right of a group rather than the right of the individual?” I am curious to understand why I, as an individual, am being required to assemble with a particular political party. I understand that those who are dyed in the wool Democrats or Republicans want to make sure that only dyed in the wool Democrats or Republicans make the decisions as to who will run, but then why not do that by convention or caucus?

Why has my right as a citizen to elect whomever I think will serve the public best become subjugated to the rights of the two major parties? When did the focus of our constitution change from protecting the individual to protecting the political party?

I hope that both parties are happy with themselves; they have now created a system that is more open to manipulation and shows less of the voter will than before.

Denise Foster

Snohomish