A few things (all of which we've talked about before):
+) "The Middle" isn't a beige podium decorated in tan bunting devoted to
pure neutrality. It's a not a point on the spectrum. The middle is a very
large area covering at least, but I think more, ground than the far right
and far left combined.
Neutrality has nothing to do with being moderate. It simply means that
you've understood that issues are not clearly defined and there is always
room for compromise and consideration.
+) To be "centrist", as Gruss intimates, is not about taking the middle
ground in every issue. For all centrists there are single issues on which
they lean lean right or left. Neither liberals nor conservatives seem to
want to admit this dirty little secret: the world is a complex place. To
succeed in it you must understand that and be willing to empathize with
other viewpoints.
This confuses extremists to no end. They end up making assumptions and
drawing conclusions based on orientation. Is somebody for gay marriage?
Well, then they're a vegetarian liberal who also hates our troops. Is
somebody for the tax cuts? Then they're a conservative bible-thumper that
wants to eliminate welfare.
Extremists simply can't help but place everybody they meet into the
readily-available and-oh-so-well defined two categories they've got.
Moderates on the other hand are confused by this behavior. They think "what
does one thing have to do with the other?"
+) Our political parties do not equate to social views. I know that's a
shocker, you might want to sit down. The republicans, despite common
thought are not "rightists" and the democrats are not "leftists". They do,
definitely have leaning in those directions, but the vast majority of each
party's members are moderates to a greater or lesser extent.
So, in a an attempt to clear things up for people, here's a list of some
signs that you, yes you (and yes: even YOU), might be a moderate:
1) You can actually see MORE than two sides to an issue! This can be scary
at first but sometimes, and it does happen, there may not even be a "right"
and a "wrong" side! I know it sounds unbelievable, but sometimes in a
conflict multiple opposing forces can actually both have points that you may
agree and disagree with.
2) You actually consider a candidate using criteria OTHER than party
affiliation! (Note: despite this clause consideration of a candidate for
how "cute" they are does not indicate you're moderate. Rather it indicates
that you're an idiot.)
3) When discussing issues with another human being (or perhaps even when
discussing issues with a political pundit) you can do any of the following:
+) "Put yourself in their position"
+) "See their side of things"
+) "Respect their opinion"
4) You apply the words "liberal" and "conservative" to issues rather than
people. Also, you do not precede either with "candy-assed", "panty-waist"
or "rabid" or end either with "mob", "machine" or "media". Lastly you do
not use either as a euphemism for "shithead", "ignoramous" or "fucknut".
5) You may find yourself being for or against an issue, but still able to
recognize bad legislation that affects the issue. This concept of having a
stand on an issue yet still voting against a bill to address it due to
problems with the bill is completely mystifying to non-moderates.
6) When you say "I'm a moderate" and (this is the important part) actually
MEAN it.
7) If you think about seriously ALL of the following people are douchbags:
Anne Coulter, Al Franken, Michael Moore, Bill O'Reilly, Tucker Carlson, Paul
Begala, Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh. That's not to say, of course, that
they don't sometimes come up with interesting points or ways of considering
a topic... but yeah, they're all douchbags.
8) Even after you've selected a political party and/or candidate you can
still do BOTH of the following:
+) Recognize the weaknesses or mistakes of your candidate. Perhaps
even go so far as to disagree with your candidate on one or more issues.
+) Recognize the strengths and successes of their opponent. Perhaps
even go so far as to agree with this opponent on one or more issues.
You may also fail to do either of the following:
+) Deify your candidate.
+) Demonize their opponent.
That's all I could come up with off the top of my head. Please feel free to
add to the list.
Jim Davis
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