When only moderates are publicly taken seriously, how can we ever be sure that all options are discussed?

Question

I hate todays society, i have never hidden this fact and im generaly reported for it. Why must "give and take" or "the middle ground" ...or that old chestnut "the will of the public" (which today actual means the Media) be the alpha and omega in politics.

Mr Nec C. did not get peace in his time with appeasement (the middle ground), Hitler didnt win any awards for his popular policy (will of the spin master...Jo Gerbals), New Labour have not consulted us on any single major policy issue (so much for the champions of give and take) and as for George and his war... well even staunch republicans are counting down the days to his retirement.

Can anyone remember a time when actual rather then spin doctored opinion polls were the order of the day in politics?

Space phantom:
i disagree with you in that i do not see TRUE moderates making any headway, US Border control is becoming draconian, in the Uk the basic laws set down by magna carta have been effectivley set aside. Where is the voice of moderation? what is the nature of actualy "moderation" in politics? What if we have lost the ability to moderate AT ALL?. Is moderation today a case of "ok, we will support your muslim concentration camp bill if you support us in making The church of england a multi faith institution open to jews christains and muslims?"

Moderation isnt a case of "ok, thats one new law for your side and one new law for mine"... it ought to be a case of making all laws as acceptable and fair as possible for the majority.

In short, its not about debate anymore (and No, i dont consider question time to qualify)and the only power sharing coin tossing at the highest levels on both sides.

Clarification: The media do not support the middle ground...they are polorised into us and them...the sun vs the telegraph, the working vs the middle/upper class, the educated vs the rest.The moderates are never heard as they are neither newsworthy nor serve partizan agenda.

Rofl! since when have my questions EVER reflected my actual opinion! I like folks to think...and to keep a veil of mystery.

Its a case of the public perception of "moderates" . Blair is a classic example of the modern "moderate" politician... the reality is quite so sweetness and light.

"Not quite so sweetness and light" rather.

Answer 1

So would you prefer it if Communists and extreme left wing Socialists were taken more seriously? Judging from your previous posts, I wouldn't have thought so.

Political spin is far from exclusive to the political mainstream. The far left and far right have always exaggerated, twisted and spun the truth out of all proportion to suit their own ends, and still do. I would go as far as to say that extreme politics are almost exclusively based on propaganda and spin, where as moderate politics tend to be far more realistic and practical, despite the recent trend towards dishonesty, fostered by Blair's New Labour government and Cameron's populist Tories.

The bottom line is that neither the extreme right or the extreme left are palatable options for the vast majority of voters. Most people tend to vote according to which party will benefit them most financially. Since extremists at both ends of the scale would most likely cause financial disaster if they got any power, they get relatively few votes. As a result, their views and policies do not carry much weight in comparison to those expressed in mainstream politics.

The fact is, all options should be discussed and usually are. For the most part, however, extremist doctrines are almost always rejected out of hand.

Edit: I would tend to agree with what you say in your additional details, about the lack of moderation which is becoming all too apparent among politicians who like to be seen as moderate. I seriously doubt, however, that the trend is as pervasive as you suggest in mainstream politics. The current trend could be very easily be reversed by a change in government or even leadership in the current government. In fact I think the mainstream parties are now coming to realise how important it is for them to re-engage the electorate. In order to do that, they very soon must get back to proper debate, moderation and fairness in their dealings.

Your additional details seem to contradict your original statement that "only moderates are publicly taken seriously", by the way.

Answer 2

Would you prefer that the extremeists are the only ones taken seriously? OK I admit it I'm a moderate. I don't think I have ALL the answers and I'm willing to listen to alternatives.

The same can't be said for extremeists. The basic belief of an extremeist is I'm never wrong and my minds made up. Don't confuse me with the facts.

It's when moderates talk people actually listen because moderates have listened to all sides and try to take the best parts to find a solution.

With your opening statement you have confused appeasment with moderation. Chamberlin tried appeasment with Hitler. Appeasment is different from moderation.

And just for the record. It's not Geroge's war alone. The Democrats supported his actions until it became unpopular. *LOL* It's the Democrats who have been spinning their previous positions. Now the standard excuse is, I know you thought you understood what I said, but what I said wasn't what I meant. They have done so much explaining what they meant I'm not sure if you asked them what they originally said they could even remember.

Answer 3

I think you are right. If everything requires compromise, the best thing is never going to get done. The bill that passes would be a compromise between the right thing to do and the wrong thing to do. That will never be good for the country.

Answer 4

Your right, no politician is listen to what the people want, all they are concerned about is their own well being. It seems to me that most politician's have forgot the first rule "you are elected to serve the people" Oh wouldn't it be nice to see them standing up there putting our point of view, rather than bettering their own cause ?

Answer 5

The truth will set us free. That is why the media and the government avoid the truth as much as possible.