Since being a political "moderate" these days will subject yourself to ridicule by the two major parties...

Question

Should we rename ourselves "centrists" instead? For example, I'm very much opposed to abortion, but I'm a strong believer in environmental protection. I'm against high taxes, but I believe in staying out of wars whenever possible. I'm an atheist, but I have no problem with public displays of religious symbols or prayer in schools. I think both political parties have good ideas, and I have no problem taking the best ones from each of them. Why is this such a problem?

BY THE WAY... All you guys ROCK. Those are some really thoughtful answers, and it's gonna be tough to choose a 'best' one. Thanks!

Answer 1

Mmmm... CENTRIST POLITICAL PARTY!

"For example, I'm very much opposed to abortion, but I'm a strong believer in environmental protection."
Yeah, I'm pretty much anti-abortion. Environmental protection... how far are your beliefs? Because I'm okay with some aspects of that, but I have my limits.

"I'm against high taxes, but I believe in staying out of wars whenever possible."
Eh, I'll agree with your view of high taxes (and of course pork-barrel spending). I'm not an isolationist, however.

"I'm an atheist, but I have no problem with public displays of religious symbols or prayer in schools."
Well good for you! Seriously, "atheist fundamentalists" are somewhere on my Top 10 groups of people thet annoy the hell out of me, and you aren't one of them.

"I think both political parties have good ideas, and I have no problem taking the best ones from each of them."
Dude, I like the way you think (well, about this anyway)! Good luck!

Answer 2

I agree entirely. Centrists/moderates/independents are ostracised by all political parties. The problem with giving us all the same name is that some moderates are the exact opposites of others. What if, for example, I was in support of abortion but didn't give a crap about the environment? I'd be just as 'middle' as you, but we'd be completely different. I don't think there's much of an answer for us besides just reconfiguring the way politicans run for office entirely.

Answer 3

What you are describing is not a moderate or centrist. You have strong opinions on several issues (on both the right and left it would seem). Moderates are either just wishy washy on issues or are leftist/liberal with out the guts to admit it. Just because it is difficult to pigeon hole you into one belief system (tho Libertarian would come closest) doesn't mean that you are in any way a moderate.

Answer 4

Seems to me you wont have to develop a new party, and both parties themselves are beginning to blur on issues and go towards the center. The majority of Americans could pick and chose things they like from both parties and I think we'd find that most of them land on the same ground. A new party isn't necessary because as the extremists on both sides become alienated from their own party bases, the more moderates will attract voters like yourself, making you actually part of a major party. The question is, in the years to come, which party will develop into the party of the issues you have just described? Only time will tell

Answer 5

I see nothing wrong with that.

i have similar issues. I don;t mind spending for things like HeadStart and Food Stamps, but i want to make certain that the money is well spent.

I want a better financial accountability with how my tax dollars are spent.

What would make a third party work is a viable canditate that doesn;t come across as an escapee from the asylum

Answer 6

I personally don't care what people want to label me as. I call it as I see it. Examples: Clinton was a immoral asshole but a great pres. Bush claims to be a morale asshole but is a horrible pres. I think abortion should be left up to the women of our country to decide. I support gun rights. I'm against higher taxes, although I wouldn't mind paying them if they went to good causes such as free health care or free education. But not for wars & special commitee groups. I'm for prayar in schools, but think it should be as simple as a moment of silence. Thats just a few examples. I aggree with you that both parties do have some good ideas.

Answer 7

I think the fact is that the mentality of the parties is "a vote not for me is a vote for him", when Centrists are probably the smartest people out there, due to the fact that they vote for their stances, not which stances their party supports. I'm for gay marriage and against the death penalty, but I also find PC as annoying as the Conservatives (it goes overboard too often), and I know for a fact that banning guns isn't gonna make anyone safer, in fact, it might do the opposite.

Answer 8

Many people who won in the Democratic Party this election are moderates. It seems to me that the Dems have moved more to the middle and the Reps have moved farther right. I also believe that Moderates are the majority in the United States so you should not feel like an outcast when you are the majority.

Answer 9

I am the same way with politics. i really don't think that we should change our name from being moderates to anything else. The political parties need to get over the fact that we can see things both ways. And if they judge you for it then i think you should consider it their loss because they are the ones who dont want to get to know you before they judge you. you shouldnt worry about what they think about you. Dont just change because someone doesnt like what you believe in. do you know what i mean? i hope so.

Answer 10

Moderates will not be concerned about that . Moderates are people who naturally see all sides and their opinions are a distillation of all the information they take in. Since we are not concerned with impressing often fake and "rebel without a cause" liberals or worrying that conservatives are judging us. We are content with who we are. We have nothing to prove to any one side.