"Moderates" Are an Endangered Species
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It's a dirty word, probably not fit for a general-circulation newspaper, and it has become the most pejorative of political labels.
Moderate.
I understand why moderates lay low and don't engage in debate. I can hear them thinking, "What is to be gained to get into a fight with these folks? They're crazy."
Public political debate naturally favors the extremes; sound bites, shallow slogans that pass for policy or philosophy, and deliberate ignorance of the facts are useful tools to hammer home a point, to make it memorable. It makes sense to me; they're a lot like headlines. And then, I assume, we look past the headlines and evaluate the intent.
But we know what assume means ...
In a world where compromise is considered foolish at best and generally traitorous, how can we have hope? Even on the local politics level, where nonpartisanship used to be the rule, the tenor of debate pushes us to the extreme.
According to the most recent Gallup polling, over the past 20 years, Americans have increasingly identified themselves as conservatives, with 40 percent of Americans calling themselves conservative or very conservative. The number of folks describing themselves as liberal, or very liberal, has been increasing over the past 20 years as well, with 21 percent of Americans choosing those labels.
In 1992, 43 percent of Americans called themselves moderate; now, 35 percent identify themselves that way.
So what? It is not a bad thing that people are more certain of their political philosophy, but it seems that as our political self-identification has polarized over the past 20 years, our views have also been captured by the staunchest of conservatives and liberals. Their voices dominate and crowd out debate within their circle. And in each case, debate is used to weed out the weaker, conciliatory arguments.
I love debate; the back-and-forth of ideas and arguments almost always leads me to a better understanding of the issues, of the process, and ultimately to a better decision. In virtually every business I've been associated with, it is the diversity of voices and opinions, freely expressed, which has led to success. But it seems that in the public arena, debate is for show, and for showing off.
There appears to be no compromise possible.
In a recent meeting, U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper was chatting about Washington. "Congress only works one a day week," he said - "when it is in session." They don't show up to committee meetings; they don't debate; they vote the way their party leadership tells them to.
Confession: I am a moderate. I don't care what party these folks are in; nor do I care if they are liberal or conservative. There are plenty of merits in both philosophical approaches to life. But, and here the essential "weakness" of being a moderate in today's world is revealed, once they're elected, I expect representatives to represent everyone in their district, whether they agree with them or not, whether they like them or not.
We should expect representatives to do the work they were elected to do, and what we pay them for.
But then, I am worse than a moderate; I am also naive. We, the people, aren't really paying these folks anymore. Are we?
Frank Daniels, part owner of The Pilot and cousin of Pilot Publisher David Woronoff, is the community engagement editor of The Nashville Tennessean. Contact him at fdanielsiii@tennessean.com.
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Comments
jimt 1 year ago
Given the rhetoric on the right excoriating "liberals" beginning with Reagan's first presidential campaign in 1976, it seems clear that it was just a matter of time before the "moderate" wing of the Republican Party, which used to contain political giants such as Jacob Javits, Everett Dirksen, and Chuck Percy, was doomed. Historically it has been a clear and expanding line of intolerance and hatred that has given us the Tea Party and Congressman West who recently charged that there are 78 to 81 "communists" in the House of Representatives, and who has raised a considerable amount of money for himself on the basis of this charge. I have little doubt that West, and his followers would dearly love to kill or at least put into prison, those "liberals" who, in their mind, so obviously threaten America.
MichaelFlorence 1 year ago
Moderates are not decreasing we are just being totally ignored, and many of us (not me) have almost totally given up on the political process. The Democrats and Republicans have had their parties hijacked by the extemes of both of their parties. Right now elections are decided by money and ignorance. If you have the money you can buy whatever influence you want, and if you have intelligence then nobody whats to hear from you. When the day has arrived - NOW - when unless you are a millionaIre you cannot run for almost any political office(check out our own County Commisoners) - I would suspect that there are just as many millionaIre Democrats as Republicans - Our society is doomed to continue on the path we are on. I am not bashing the rich just the fact that these people will do whatever it takes to stay in office and retain whatever power they have.
If you are in Congress (Congressman will spend over 50% of their time asking for campaign cash). In the Senate the same.
Our system is broken and until a third party can arise that will represent Americans - moderate Americans (all are welcome) who care about this country and actually want to help make things happen then NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE.
jimt 1 year ago
Michael, I disagree that Democrats, for the most part, have been hijacked by the extreme left. Most democrats in congress have remained within the middle of the Party's spectrum. Not so on the right. I also disagree that Democrats look to the same fat cats to fund their election campaigns. That said, the activist judges on the right that ruled for the plaintiffs in the Citizens United case are responsible for the hijacking of Republican nominating process by the Corporate right.
skylinefirepest 1 year ago
Jimt, you don't think that "Obamacare" was passed without much debate by the EXTREME LEFT???
jimt 1 year ago
No. Passing a law that requires people to purchase health insurance from private for profit companies doesn't strike me as a far-left proposal. It may strike you that way. But then again, your an extremely ignorant person who labels anyone who proposes things you don't like a liberal. Sent in your check to Congressman West yet? You know, the guy who claimed that there are 78 to 81 communists in the House.
nothingspecial 1 year ago
The rising number of Moderates could also be PARTLY very representative of our current American society where a great many folks don't want to be labeled as having taken a stand about practically anything.
OldSpook 1 year ago
Good point NS,
"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."
MichaelFlorence 1 year ago
Just one more thing - In my opinion which means nothing because opinions are like *** everyone has one. The Rebpulicans of today were the Democrats of the 1950s, the Democrats of Today are more like the Socialist Party of the the 1930s. Why do we have gridlock in Congress - both parties are held hostage by their extreme far rights and lefts, and almost no one will stand up and push to do the right thing because they know they will be pushed out by their own establishment in the next election.
It is a sad state of affairs that We The People have allowed this to happen. God Bless the United States of America
eflat7 1 year ago
Well said, MichaelFlorence.
skylinefirepest 1 year ago
Ok, Jimt, I'll call your bluff...exactly how many hours of debate were waged on Obamacare? How many Republicans in the House and then in the Senate voted for this aberation of a bill?? Who knew enough about the bill to explain it?? Did Obama put it out in the open for the public to examine LIKE HE SAID HE WOULD??? Yeah, the extreme left passed this bill, under cover of darkness, without examining it, BECAUSE THEY HAD THE NUMBERS AND COULD!!! If you're going to call me ignorant you better have your numbers ready. Have at it, big boy, just how good are you when challenged? Oh, and by the way, this is not a threat so you don't have to go whining to Mr. Nagy like you are so used to doing when anybody spanks you!!
pinewoodnc 1 year ago
Can you say anything, jimt, without calling someone names (idiot and moron)? Just in the two blogs tonight you have called someone a name. Rude and uncalled for! The word for it is flaming.
DaveyNC 1 year ago
Truth is, the vast majority of people in the middle are uninformed. They have a vague sense that the Rs and the Ds are always arguing and so they mostly just ignore the bickering and go back to watching Dancing With the Stars.
Personally, I'm a big fan of bickering and gridlock. I figure if they are busy fighting amongst themselves, they're not bothering us very much. When, as has happened too often in the last decade or so, one party gains the upper hand in numbers, it never turns out very well for we the people.
Gridlock, Gridlock, he's our man! If he can't stop them, no one can!
jimt 1 year ago
Just keep digging that hole pesty.
skylinefirepest 1 year ago
I'm digging it, Jimt, and I don't see your answer yet! Come on, big boy, put the facts out there to SHOW that I'm as ignorant as you say. Answer my questions factually or you'll have let everybody here know that you CAN'T!!!
MichaelFlorence 1 year ago
The middle is not uninformed the deck is just stacked against us. For the middle to have any chance to do anything first you have to work within the boundaries of your local Republican or Democrat Parties - then if you can try and push out the hard cores on both sides then you can move on to the state parties, and then you have to take on the national parties. Unless you can do this all at one time over the course of a year or two then nothing will change because the hard core of each party will not give in to any type of change.
Just for your knowledge I stay informed, I hate Dancing with the Stars, and unless something changes then the downward spiral we as a country are in will continue.
DaveyNC 1 year ago
So, then, MichaelFlorence you are not one of those I was speaking of. You may be in the middle, but right there with you are people who pay very little attention and make up their minds when they step into the voting booth.
Look, it is the extremists who run both parties. That only makes sense because they are the ones who feel the strongest about their issues. They're passionate enough about their issues that they are willing to devote their time and money to it, something that people in the middle ground by definition are not willing to do.
jimt 1 year ago
Pest, you are one angry, bitter, crude, and dumb individual. My guess, an authoritarian personality mixed with rage at people who are more successful than you (which is probably most people). Too bad you weren't in Germany in the 30's, you'd have made a great brownshirt (look it up).
skylinefirepest 1 year ago
Can't answer the question, can you, Jimt??? I didn't think so! All you can do is call names, like several of the Pilot bloggers. Actually those who know me will think your last comment to be hilarious...I'm one of the happiest people you could imagine. And you know what is going to make me just ecstatic shortly? That's gonna be when the American people have finally had enough of this lying non-leader currently cluttering up our White House and give him the boot so that we can try to salvage this once great country!!Brownshirts? Yeah, I know what they were, very similar to what Fearless Leader would like to have in this country under his control and actually proposed about a year ago. Remember that?? And finally, NO, I have no quarrel with rich people...as opposed to the Democrat Party I know that most people EARNED their riches by being productive, and if Obama taxes them to the poor house it still will not put a dent in the financial stress that this administration has put us in.
MichaelFlorence 1 year ago
How we went from "Moderates" to this topic of discussion - only on this comment line.
Remember tthis The President (Adminstration can only sign a bill or veto it entirely), The House and the Senate (whichever party controls either at the time) has to vote on bills. Spending bills generally start in the House and then move on from there. The most powerful people in this country are the 100 US Senators, and our 435 Congressman. Vote carefully this Fall. The money you save might be your own.
pinewoodnc 1 year ago
jimt, you are just plain rude. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. You need to go back to the playground you came from until you can behave like an adult instead of a nasty child.
jimt 1 year ago
Right, and pest is a model of proper decorum. Go check his posts historically. He's written a threat to someone with a gun. He's challenged others to fist fights. He's a bully. I answer fire with fire.
skylinefirepest 1 year ago
Jimt...You are a LIAR, sir. I have never challenged anyone to a fist fight, here or elsewhere. Considering the arthritis and pain in my hands that would be really stupid, now wouldn't it?? I have never threatened anyone in these blogs and you are a LIAR, Jimt. And this is really to be expected of you as I challenged you, with specific questions, to show my ignorance and you COULDN'T DO IT!!!
jimt 1 year ago
You threatened violence against Jim Heim with a gun, and you threatened to beat up Dusty Rhoades, and decided that beating up a lawyer wasn't worth the effort.
pinewoodnc 1 year ago
Okay, folks, let's cool it here. Nothing is gained from name calling and threats. I feel that these kinds of posts make a disgrace of these blogs and certainly do not reflect well on the citizens of this area. Remember what you post can be seen by anyone and everyone. Is this the kind of impression you wish to make of our good people? If you must do this, please take it to personal e-mails and go at it there.
skylinefirepest 1 year ago
Jimt...I repeat, you are a LIAR. I have never threatened either Jimmy "spend us into bankruptcy for the good of the Democrats" Heim or Dusty. Funny how, since you cannot answer my questions, you've decided to lie about me.
jimt 1 year ago
Not a lie, just another example of your convenient memory loses. Dusty and Jim will confirm my assertion if they choose to.
As to answering your question, I don't take orders from morons.
skylinefirepest 1 year ago
Jimt....=FAIL!! I didn't think you had enough knowledge of current events to do it and you proved me to be right, as usual. Since no threats were issued I don't know as you could convince either Jim or Dusty to lie for you. At any rate, I'm through with you...you have been thoroughly spanked and can only call names as a response.
jimt 1 year ago
Oh gosh, one of the biggest morons on the planet is "through with me," how will I ever survive the ignominity?