I'm also an independent with no plans to vote for any Democrat in the near future, at least not until the party as a whole steps back from the precipice of socialism, and finds a cure for their mass TDS.
Regardless, of their candidates, I find Bernie to be the best, politically speaking, in spite of the fact that I disagree with nearly every position he has taken. You're right, he stays on point and for my money, a Trump / Sanders general election would be the most fun to watch.