Americans may be ready for Radical Centrism
(http://www.examiner.com/independent-in-manchester/kevin-kervick)
_Kevin Kervick_
(http://www.examiner.com/independent-in-manchester/kevin-kervick)
Manchester Independent Examiner
September 20, 2011
According to a _poll released today_ (http://www.rasmussenr
eports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/september_2011/49_think_neither_party_in_
congress_represents_the_people) , forty-nine percent of likely American
voters believe neither political party in Washington is representing the
American people. Does this mean America may be ready for Radical Centrism?
Radical centrism would offer a clear philosophical alternative to the major
political philosophies that was compelling enough to be embraced by a
plurality of American citizens. The platform would contain some ideas that are
embraced by Progressives and Conservatives but it would also offer new
ideas that transcend the ideas commonly expressed by those two groups. The
Radical Centrist platform would not offer a middle ground. It would be a more
original and ideologically consistent alternative to the establishment
positions that are sucking up most of the oxygen today.
Independent Americans may be seeking such an alternative. They see the
primary political parties as intransigent, impractical, and mercenary. They don
’t like either choice.
Americans do not seem to be happy with any of the current Presidential
Candidate choices available to them. President Obama has _approval ratings in
the forty percent range_
(http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_obama_job_approval-1044.html)
in several national polls. A "generic"
Republican candidate enjoys a _modest lead_
(http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_president_obama_vs_republican_ca
ndidate-1745.html) over President Obama in several recent polls. However,
in head to head match-ups among likely voters, President Obama is
_outperforming all of the announced Republican Presidential candidates_
(http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/electio
n_2012_presidential_election/2012_presidential_matchups) . Most voters do
not approve of President Obama’s performance but they do not think any of
the Republican options will do any better. Americans seem dissatisfied with
Democrat and Republican politicians generally. Consequently, this may be the
time for a spokesperson to emerge for Radical Centrism who would challenge
the conservative and liberal establishments that have put their chosen
political parties in a stranglehold.
Radical Centrism could find its voice in common sense New Hampshire, a
place that prides itself on independent thinking. New Hampshire citizens are
well educated, free-thinking, and iconoclastic. They tend to be optimistic,
patriotic, and libertarian. If Radical Centrism were to gain momentum in
America it could start in a place like New Hampshire.
One candidate who could trandscend the Republican - Democrat divide in New
Hampshire is Congressman Ron Paul, a libertarian thinker who has a strong
organization in New Hampshire and nationally. While Congressman Paul is
running for President as a Republican, his Radical Centrism is evidenced by
his
unique opposition to both the welfare and warfare states and his plan to
reign in and eventually abolish the Federal Reserve, a position that more
and more Americans are starting to embrace.
Contrary to the other Republican candidates in the race, Paul's campaign is
independent, populist, and energized. Paul is a _respectable solid third_
(http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2011-09-19/republican-poll-gop-p
erry-romney/50467944/1) at thirteen percent in the most recent national
poll by Gallup, at striking distance from both Rick Perry and Mitt Romney,
neither of whom is polling above thirty-five percent in the same poll.
Most Americans are dissatisfied with the direction of the country and they
have little faith that politicians in the current political parties will do
anything about it. Thus, Americans may be ready for something new.
--
Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community
<[email protected]>
Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism
Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
