What is an Independent?

A editorial  in Minnesota's Albert Lea Tribune reflects on what it means to say one is an independent:

The Independence Party remains listed by the Minnesota secretary of state as a major political party. But the name is just confusing for everyday voters. People who are not members of any political party are called independents. . . .  Then there is the Independent Party, America’s Independent Party and the American Independent Party. And there are Independent Democrats . . . And there are Independent Republicans . . . Voters who are not party faithfuls, political junkies, politicians or news journalists sure must become confused sometimes. You can just imagine someone asking about a IP candidate: “What’s it mean when they say this guy is independent?”