Is it better to be a centrist not just in politics but in all aspects of life?

Question

After further analysis I arrived at the conclusion that in life we all have to make compromises because we can't keep everyone happy 100% of the time. I cannot have things my way every time because there is always going to be someone else who wants it their way. That's when cooperation and compromise come into play to at least keep everyone happy 50%. For example on a lot of issues I think I'm in the middle. On Abortion: Keep it legal, but restrict late term abortions. On gun control: people should have the right to self defense but ban semi and fully automatic machine guns because those are for killing not self defense. What do you think about this matter? Am I right?

Answer 1

HOORAY! Yes, you are so right, at least in my view. I am very centrist. I love to discuss politics, but when I sign on to YA I surf through question after question of nothing but conservatives and liberals attacking each other, over and over and over and over again. I'm distressed by their obsession with throwing stones at each other and often wonder how they ever expect anything positive to come from that. Consequently I find myself coming to YA less and less often - not that I'll be missed, I am used to getting the thumbs down lol. I was proud to be one of the moderates who swayed the mid-terms in favor of some checks and balances. I think Bush is a dangerous man, but I don't think all Republicans are. I think Democrats calling for impeachment can't get their priorities straight, but I don't paint them all with the same brush because some of them feel this way.

You are right, and I wish more people posted in this forum with this view. Of course centrists are fence-sitters to those who have a need to wallow in far left or right views, but that's just another label for them to use in their dismissal of other ideas.
BTW - We do agree completely on abortion and gun control.

WHY IS IT THAT ANYONE THINKS BEING A MODERATE MEANS HAVING NO OPINIONS AND NOT TAKING A STAND? HOW PATENTLY RIDICULOUS, BELIEVE ME I'VE GOT LOTS OF OPINIONS AND I STAND TALL FOR EVERY ONE OF THEM.

Answer 2

The ancient Greeks believed in the golden mean and the Buddha taught the middle way. These philosophies would not have survived if they did not work.

I agree with you on gun control. The number of abortions can be limited, as you have said, by restricting late term abortions, but I also think that the government should provide more support to young and poor mothers, not as a reward for bad behavior, but as a temporary hand up to help them care for their babies.

Answer 3

I don't agree on your reasons for abortion and gun control, but a centrists in all aspects of life embrace the Aristotle belief on ethics. If you believe such, you should check him out. I like his ideas, i try to be a centrists, but centrists are not always the best path to choose

Answer 4

people walking down the middle of the road get run over....

its the tough decisions and stances that makes one unpopular but it is also said traits that are needed to be exemplified for a true leader. Not everybody is cut out to lead by this premise alone.

Answer 5

certainly, confident. i'm going to be marrying a toddler-kisser. My day after day existence is being at his ingredient at fairly some applications, arguing perspectives with him and his collegues and being his sounding board. I stay and breathe it.

Answer 6

Absolutely not. When everybody is just lukewarm about something, then nothing will ever change. You should not by psycho about anything, but having no stance on anything or having no constitution to enforce your beliefs is almost a crime.

Answer 7

Being a moderate just mean being wishy washy. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.