Originally Posted By Kimrue if liberals were on one side and conservatives on the other...i'd be somewhere in the middle. I seriously mean that. Does that make sense? Am I "nothing" anyone else "nothing" out there....(I think it's called "independant", what a lovely name if one were to be referred to as "anything" politically speaking.)
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom kimrue we are not nothing we are EVERYTHING. In recent times both the Democratic and Republican partys can careless about their members. They know they are going to get those votes. The Democrats and Republicans want the swing votes the "independents". Thats why no one campagned in several states because it doesn't matter. New England will always vote Democrat, so you don't have to give them perks. The blacks will always vote Democrat so you don't have to give them perks either. The elderly will always vote Democrat so you don't have to give them perks. The young people aren't going to vote anyway so you don't have to give them perks. The largest segment of the population that is a swing vote is the hispanic vote... so expect both major parties to continue to doing hispandering.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer It's called being a "moderate", kimrue. And it's the most reasonable and most American position you can take. it means you weigh every issue on it's merits instead of toeing the party line.
Originally Posted By mnsharp "weigh every issue on it's merits instead of toeing the party line" Being a republican has nothing to do with following the party line, it has to do with agreeing with republics a majority of the time. I'm tired of this "Oh your Republican, so you have to follow the party line" nope I chose to agree or disagree and I mainly agree with the party line, but that doesn't make me a puppet at all. If I tend to defend Bush, that means that I tend to agree with Bush, that's it. If you tend to be in the middle, that's where you stand. If there was no Republican party, I would still have my same ideas.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy <<Still waiting to read that book..."Great moderates in History">> Ha! Exactly the point. The people who have REALLY shaped the world are not moderates. Moderates are fine and nice and great to have at the BBQ, but they have a hard time making up their mind and taking a stand on something without seeing what everyone else does first. Usually....
Originally Posted By mnsharp "Great moderates in History" I think maybe I'll write that one, I'll start with, um, let's see...oh that one that...um...can somebody help me here?
Originally Posted By TomSawyer >>but they have a hard time making up their mind and taking a stand on something without seeing what everyone else does first.<< That isn't true at all. If you want to look at the biggest change brought about by moderates in history, look to our own Constitution.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I find most hardliners (left or right) prefer to greatly oversimplify complex issues. Being a moderate doesn't mean you don't make up your mind or that you're wishy-washy. That's just rhetoric some hardliners like to use to diminish a more thoughtful approach to issues beyond party lines. Being moderate (or independent) allows someone to hold to politicians accountable for their promises and actions more often than someone who is looking for ways to spin the facts or defend that politician based on whether they have a (D) or (R) after their name. Being a moderate doesn't mean that you operate with no core principles -- that you're nothing but a follower. It simply means that your principles don't all fit neatly into either "camp."
Originally Posted By Spree Does anybody remember the story of the 3 little pigs. Help me here my memory is a bit fuzzy....What happened to the house of the "moderate" little piggy?
Originally Posted By cmpaley 2oony, I like your description. It seems to speak to where I am finding myself more and more on many issues. For example, I am ardently pro-life, but I find this statement (from Rerum Novarum) very compelling: "37. Rights must be religiously respected wherever they exist, and it is the duty of the public authority to prevent and to punish injury, and to protect every one in the possession of his own. Still, when there is question of defending the rights of individuals, the poor and badly off have a claim to especial consideration. The richer class have many ways of shielding themselves, and stand less in need of help from the State; whereas the mass of the poor have no resources of their own to fall back upon, and must chiefly depend upon the assistance of the State. And it is for this reason that wage-earners, since they mostly belong in the mass of the needy, should be specially cared for and protected by the government. "
Originally Posted By AgentLaRue The book I'm waiting to read: "Successful politics without party support or funding."
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Does anybody remember the story of the 3 little pigs. Help me here my memory is a bit fuzzy....What happened to the house of the "moderate" little piggy?<< The moderate little piggy was actually not in the story. He was the 4th little piggy, and he lived in a spacious loft apartment on the Upper Westside. Made a fortune selling the rights to the story of his three brothers though, who lived the rest of their lives stuck out in the country lving in a brick house with no resale value. Tragic. In The Three Bears, baby bear, most loveable and cuddly of all, was the moderate. Not too hard, not too soft, nor too hot or too cold... just right. This has been your world events bedtime story. Sleep tight, campers!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom The problem with moderates is that they are not right All the time. There was a time when we needed social programs and a safety net to help people who were unemployeed because of the economy. We also created social medical programs for those in need of medical care. These social programs were the right thing to do in the 1930s. I think the country has swung so far to the left that we need to move more in the other direction now. 50% of Americans are not paying any form of income tax. The only individuals who are not receiving medical coverage in this country are the working class. Taxes are grossly out of wack. I make significantly more than my parents ever did in their lifetimes but will never have the possissions that my parents attained due to taxes. Someone has to pay for all these social programs. I know the Dems keep saying tax the rich but too often that equats to taxing the working class. Heck even Teresa Hines paid only 11% of her income to taxes last year.
Originally Posted By StillThePassHolder This country has swung so far to the left?????? Where do you live?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan The problem with moderates is that they are not right All the time.<< I agree, Kennesaw. To me, being moderate doesn't always mean that every decision is a 50/50 tradeoff, even steven kind fo thing. It's more litening to both sides of an argument before automatically making a decision. I think there are times, if the country is under attack or if a Constitutional right were being threatened, for instance, that being moderate would be inappropriate. And I also don't think being moderate is the same as being a blank slate, open to any and all things, or without any core values.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<This country has swung so far to the left?????? Where do you live?>> In a country where 50% of the population doesn't pay any income tax.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer It sounds like you are arguing for a more moderate tax policy, Tom. Don't soak the rich and let that 50% pay at least something.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I once heard an interview of a Democratic party leader ( I forget who it was some lady ). Anyway when asked about how high the taxes were already her reply was "We all have something to give, for some its time for others its money". Well I'm still waiting for the 50% to contribute their time. If that Democratic Party operative line was correct then this country wouldn't have a problem with litter or garaffiti and all the sidewalks would be paved and kept clean.
