This week a friend of mine looked across the table and told our dinner companions that I was the most liberal person she had met in her entire life.
I was stunned.
First, because I realized that after more than 30 years of friendship she had no real indication of who I am or my belief system, and secondly, that she was so clearly disgusted by this belief of hers.
Ironically, on this evening my more politically conservative friends were seated on my left and my more liberal-leaning mates were on my right.
The wisest among us took the pause that followed my friend’s comment as an opportunity to change the subject and the evening spun on with great conversation and frivolity.
Before we parted we took some pictures, and my friend, like always when we part, threw her arms around my neck and said, “I love you, Nay.”
And she does. I know that.
But still she’s wrong. Trust me, all of my true and very dedicated liberal friends would tell her so, and I have many, but they know I am not truly one of them.
Some of my true and very dedicated conservative friends might agree with her that I am a liberal, but I think most would shy away from calling me the most liberal person they’ve ever met. I also have many of them, and they, too, know I am not one of them.
I have, I admit, taken a fair number of shots at Gov. Paul LePage, but most often because of his oafish way of speaking to people and his inability to recognize the line that separates political disagreement and good governance from silly, testosterone-fueled threats.
I think that’s reasonable.
I also have commended him for much of his work on welfare reform and domestic violence legislation.
I have written much in favor of the need for the state to take better control of the welfare system and its multitude of abuses by those who benefit from it. I was the first to expose the act of “water dumping.”
I believe there is a valuable role that welfare can play in our society for limited and short periods of time when people fall on hard times, but it needs to be truly limited and governed responsibly.
I think that’s reasonable.
I also have publicly aired my disagreement with the National Rifle Association, primarily because I have the audacity to believe in sensible gun legislation. That is, I see no reason that the average Joe needs to have the absolute right to arm himself with AK-47 assault rifles, and see it as senseless to have background checks mandated at licensed gun shops but not at gun shows or anywhere else.
I believe that all law-abiding citizens have the right to own guns for recreation, sport and personal safety.
I think that’s reasonable.
I think I’m moderate.
And being a moderate is sort of like being a child stuck between two very dedicated but markedly different parents battling over custody. Anything you do that may please one most certainly angers the other.
Moderates are a quiet group. There is no real leadership. We generally don’t hold marches, go door to door with petitions or run political ads slaying the other side.
We generally don’t make outrageous allegations or threats that make for bold headlines, so no one really talks about us much.
And many of us are accused of being liberal or conservative in accusatory tones even by our friends who have their heels dug in on one far edge of the political spectrum or the other.
And in today’s climate of extreme political discourse with a presidential election looming, the place for us seems to be narrowing even more.
I’m not sure if we are an actual group or not. If so, we’re certainly not organized or very effective.
And just like at dinner the other night, we find it simpler, more comfortable and agreeable to take the accusations that come our way and simply change the subject.
Renee Ordway can be reached at reneeordway@gmail.com.
Moderates are those without backbones! If you stand int he middle of the road, be prepared to be hit from both sides. Those that sit on a fence only get a sore as……well you get the idea.
Name all the great moderates in history. Anyone?
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything. Sorry Nay, you fall into that category.
What a slap in the face to the majority of Americans who stand in the middle of the political spectrum. I am a moderate, and damned proud of it. Republicans are idiots on some issues. Democrats are idiots on some issues. There are many of us who see the political parties’ postures of stupidity for what they are … stupid.
Just because moderates stand in the middle does not mean we stand for nothing. What an arrogant sentiment!
PS – One of Maine’s most celebrated public servants was a moderate – Margaret Chase Smith. Arguably, one could add George Mitchell and Bill Cohen.
all liberal party aside
???
Right on.
George Mitchell wasn’t a moderate by any measure. John Baldacci, Bill Diamond, Matt Dunlop you could say are moderates. Mitchell was very much the partisan in the Senate.
Baldacci was when it benefited him personally but his record shows he is anything but a moderate.
Moderates: Bill Cohen, John Reed, Ed Muskie, Margaret Chase Smith, Ken Curtis, John McKernan, and George Mitchell. And although I did not always agree with them they were good people. It is too bad we do not have more people in government who are moderates that care about the citizens of Maine.
all liberal , I can put a Ford emblem on a Chevy, still makes it a chevy
I wouldn’t put Ed Muskie, George Mitchell, John Mckernan and Ken Curtis as moderates. They are Liberals in some cases Far Left Wingers. Ken Curtis was very unpopular in his 8 years as Governor of Maine. He barely won re-election in 1970 only by 890 votes even most in his own party didn’t like him . Because his policies were awful , very radical left winger who sometimes was on his own on some issues. We need good people to do the job who are not afraid to take criticism from those in opposition. Not just because they are moderates.
Ken Curtis won election when this state was mostly republican. He was a middle of the road politician who worked with and won the respect of both parties. The politicians that I mentioned were good people who worked hard for Maine people. You can’t say the same for most of the current crop of Maine elected officials.
This states demographics have not been conservative in the last 50 years since all the hippies homesteaded in coastal communities in the 60’s. We are seeing the byproduct of that influx as of today.
That’s your extreme opinion. You may be incapable of anything approaching moderation.
They were all liberal.
You don’t realize it but your opinions are extreme too. Pull your head out of your as.
Liberals, every one of them.
Your extreme opinion.
Why is his opinion extreme because he doesn’t agree with you , that this person spoke the truth. All of these folks are liberals. Ken Curtis a very unpopular far left wing governor barely got re-elected in 1970 only won by 890 votes. His agenda wasn’t even popular with most in his own party at that time. Mckernan a RINO, George Mitchell a partisan Senate Majority Leader who retired because he knew he was on borrowed time. Just like his cousin Baldy both did nothing for our state , created alot of pork barreled spending projects, alot of Socialist Welfare Programs to buy votes for his base. They are both free spending liberals who contributed to alot of the problems we have now not only here in Maine but now in Washington.
I’ll buy Muskie, mainly because I’m too young to give you much of an arguement, however no way was George Mitchell a moderate. He was the Dem leader of the senate and was very much a partisan.
The fact is that most great leaders in the world have been moderates, as in Churchill, Eisenhower, Adenauer, Mandela. It’s the extremists, as in Stalin, Hitler, Pinochet, Castro, Mugabe who create the misery. Oh, let’s not forget that would-be leader Joe McCarthy.
Sorry to blow a hole in your theory but it took the spirit of extreme rebellion to incubate the Constitution of The United States. Would you have had the Revolutionaries as namby-pamby, mealy-mouthed, compromising moderates instead?
How would that bell sound?
Hmm. I think that many of them were moderates forced to take a stand with their backs to the wall. Moderates can do that, you know.
Actually, I suspect that upon self-examination many
moderates might consider self-identity as a tea-partier, as the non-party, “Tea Party” (loosely stated) renounces identification with both/all officially established political parties in favor of his/her individual option on particular issues. The danger in ascribing yourself to a political party is in permitting others to assume your opinion based on a group of others’ opinions.
Among us common citizens there is no official “Conservative“ party even as there are conservative Republicans and conservative Democrats. There is no official “Liberal” party even as there are liberal Democrats and liberal Republicans. Unfortunately, the parallel universe that gravitates to Washington, DC had decided to redefine themselves for us to the point where they were untouchably, blamelessly, bi-partisanly …moderate…
and we were so very happy with all of them!
No more! If we grab their feet we can pull their heads out of the
sand in November and replace them with Homo Erectus capable of standing on principle and integrity but we have to get over this “party” thing.
Are you (plural, whoever you are) actually tea-partiers?
No way do I belong to nor completely subscribe to any political party, no matter what the label. Per your last post, we seem to be more in agreement than I initially thought.
i was merely coming to the defense of moderates who, contary to the views of another poster, can be firm in their decisions, opinions, and have “backbone” (usually after at least some thought).
If anything the Founding Fathers were the moderates, the British were the extremists, as most oppressors tend to be.
Incorrect.
***************
“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be
changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath
shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable,
than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same
Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their
right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards
for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these
Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their
former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain
is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object
the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let
Facts be submitted to a candid world.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
****************
Candidly speaking, what would you have done if you had been alive at the time? Your options include the (moderate) historic Benjamin Franklin approach of “talking” to them or the (extremist) choice to rock the land with rebellion against the monarchy. Should the colonists have just sucked it up in your opinion or would you have “taken up arms” against the King’s army, knowing the odds? Do you really think the British Empire expected such “extremism”…..from farmers?
Let’s not confuse determination with extremism. There are ample examples of moderates taking up arms in the face of oppression. The difference is that moderates will generally give diplomavy a chance whereas extremists tend go for spilled blood first. The British, didn’t give up their colonial extremism (America, South Africa, India) until they realized that arms could no longer prevail against world opinion and people determined to establish self-rule.
Are you saying that there were no efforts at diplomacy prior to the Revolution?
No, not at all. What I am saying is that the American revolution was based on enlightened thinking by moderates, not on extremist politics. The extremism was on the British side. The King refused to entertain any notion of self-rule. That sort of thinking continued until the British were thrown out of India.
I’m sure Sam Adams would agree with you.
You didn’t blow a hole through anyone but yourself. Moderates created the constitution, not the radicals. Get real. Think smart.
Thanks for listing the moderates that I should have in a previous post.
Moderates are always smarter than those who tow the party line. Anyone with a brain looks at any issue as an individual issue, and not have to ask themselves what their party would say or do.
Think as an individual, not a party member
I think pseudo moderates like Cutler, King and Michaud are very smart. They call themselves moderates and centrists but govern, vote very much on the liberal side… classic bait and switch. I’m convinced we may never see a statewide Democrat again, but a whole slew of ex-democrat independents, who actually still are functional Dems. Those who are real independents will buy the relabel and will put these guys in power.
This is very true.
I agree the term moderate is used very loosely. I am just saying that people should think more about each issue, and less about the party stance.
I consider myself conservative. However I am pro choice and pro same sex marriage.
See?
As stated elsewhere, I guess I’m thick skinned enough to catch it from all sides. I stand for a lot of things, usually after much analysis (another aspect of my personality), but often with reservations. Actually, there have probably been a great number of moderates in history, but we can’t all be great, so who needs it? And yes, wehave to have strong backbones to field all the slings and arrows and strive and survive for what we believe.
A lot of people consider themselves “moderate”. Compared to what? Your parents, your friends, your professors? Your co-workers? Chances are, if you were brought up and or educated with a conservative background or liberal background, you are not that far off from the core values instilled into you from day one. It just may appear to you that you take a moderate stance on issues. But chances are, you are not that moderate. There is no such thing as an “Independent”. When was the last time you saw an “Independent” not be far to the left? Lieberman, and Jefferts are the 2 latest examples of “Independentism”.
Moderates move the country forward regardless of name calling, one line zingers , or bloated neck talk show hosts. That is until the last few years. Now, we can see what happens when the moderates are gone, nothing. Welcome to gridlock. Home of the conservative/liberal cat fight. Have we had enough? Time will tell. November could be a break through, or more of the same. We shall see.
I wouldn’t say forward.
Moderate compromise; Lets ban guns and abortions
Both Bad Ideas.
Moderates compromise on agreeing to 2 bad ideas, one from each side.
Huh?
I’ve always wondered what is the moderate view of murdering Iraqis, Afghans, Yemenis, etc….Just kill half a family? One out of four members? And what is the moderate view of hungry children in Maine? Help them get one meal a day? Two? ??
Most religious people are moderates. They push that Old Testament stuff while turning a blind eye to the teachings of Jesus. What’s the diff?
I fail to see how this response to Rev Oleson is appropriate.
Your problem is that you’re reasonable. That is no longer acceptable in America. We must be extreme or perish.
You jest of course.
Of course, I do not!
Apparently, the title of this piece is right on target.
Definitely. That’s what makes it true.
Thank you, Renee, for another positive article that makes us all think. You are a person who is part of the solution; bring it on. ;)
Right on, Renee. We moderates may not have a visible club, be it’s good to know that we exist. Moderates, pickle-in-the-middle, whatever, we catch it from all sides. For myself, I guess goes along with my personality assessment: I personally do accept the extremes and most things, there is usually no black or white, just an incredible number number of shades of gray.
No we don’t need moderates. They are nothing but folks who go wherever the wind blows at that time. They change all the time to go with what the polls say then flip flop to support that position to help get them elected. We need strong tough folks who don’t give us this warm and fuzzy feel good propaganda that comes from Democrats. Folks who don’t care what the polls are they go ahead and make the tough decisions if folks don’t like it that’s the way it is. The decision is final. If WELFARE is cut its cut. If School Sports Programs that costs are becoming out of control get reforms and the THE MPA and Teacher’s Union don’t like it that’s life. We shouldn’t be here to satisify voting blocks by buying votes. We are here to do what is right for our state.
Moderates make bad decisions all the time. People making comments seem to think everything a moderate does is perfect.
Susan Collins is moderate and votes wrong all the time.. She is a anti constitution moderate.
I want police cars to be purple, the other side wants them red, so the moderartes in both parties will settle for pink.. Moderates in the name of being a moderate make bad decisions.
Your extremism and stereotyping are even funny.
Call yourself what you will… spin it, weave it, ennoble it as statesmanship so you can “feel better” about yourself; however, there is no place for a flaccid nanny when core values are threatened and the country is in dire need of people of character. As for gun control, I seem to recall that the Brown Bess and Pennsylvania Long Rifle, bayonet and sword were de rigueur during the Revolutionary War. In point of fact, these state of the art weapons were exactly the type of technology that that the Founding Fathers had in mind when they pondered the implications of the 2d Amendment vis a vis the right of the citizenry to bear arms to protect themselves against the formation of anarchistic governments — who, by the way, rely on weak-kneed Chamberlains to stand by and do nothing. Renee, nemo mea patria inpune laccessit!
First, stop using labels to identify yourself and then use common sense. All sides have good, it is just that the other side likes to exploit the weaker positions of the other. And the sheep follow the leader.
Labels may indeed be inaccurate. However, we moderates are often forced into making a stand because of attacks by the extremists. As I stated in another post, moderates may find it easier to acquire common sense than extremists. We also can lead and are less likely to be led like sheep.
“we moderates” – sorry to poke a hole in your bubble, you are not only left, you are far left. You know – one of those people you call “extremists!”
I have never mt Renee but her comments are squarely in the middle. She ruffles feathers on both sides of the aisle, hardly a liberal trait.
I consider myself a Moderate Independent…..but I have no clear cut definition for what that means. However, I learned ages ago it’s best to be registered with a real party just so I can vote in the primaries. That way, I have a voice in who gets to go forward to the actual election. I don’t just hand over my vote to someone whose political affiliation matches the party in which I’m registered. I consider the issues and select the candidate whose position best matches mine.
There is no such thing as a moderate. One may consider themselves as a moderate because of their voting record, or their self perceived stance on the issues presented to them throughout life, but all in all, core values are something we all carry with us based on our background and environment that surrounds us. Politically, I have yet to meet a “moderate” that at the very least didn’t lean to the left. That is why Independents have a history of being popular in Maine.
Interesting. Moderation may imply (real) critical thinking and analysis. If that leads to leaning to the political left, that lean may often be the most wise.
Lots of insinuation in this statement. You imply right leaning thought is not capable of critical thinking. I’m not sure if I agree with that. I believe people of all thought processes are capable of possessing the capability of critical thought. It’s just too bad that if either side is left to their own devices, it is detrimental to the countries well being, for achieving middle ground has proven beneficial in the past. Problem now is neither side wants to achieve middle ground. The extreme left wants to bring this country to places its never seen, and the right is yanking hard in the opposite direction causing political dysfunctionality. If only the extreme left would stop trying to convert our society into a socialist/marxist system, and the right gives up on trying to blow up every muslim country, maybe ride some middle ground on social change, both parties deal with the illegal immigration thing together, things would get rolling. This country lost the term personal responsibility a long time ago. It’s time both sides try and figure out how to get it back. Maybe the moderates can lead the way.
You Will always be a liberal to me.
(the left) Lets go by Road,
(the right) No Lets go by River.
(the Moderate) our compromise is that we do neither as not to OFFEND ANYONE and we will walk through the swamp.
Being a moderate doesn’t automaticly give you common sense, just and opinion of what feels good for both parties.
Two ideas thrown away for a bad one.
We’re not talking just about interacting of political parties and legislators, we’re talking about being a moderate whoever we are. Being a moderate doesn’t automatically give you common sense (doesn’t happen to anyone) but we’re more likely to acquire both common sense and relevant knowledge than extremists (who may tend to have ill-founded, ossified opinions).
A “moderate” – is:
1. one who has no principle that they will refuse to compromise,
2. belongs to the group that has brought this nation to the brink of ruin by continuing to compromise with the left that is spending future generations income,
3. Is more often a liberal who is trying to hide their loyalties (at least until they are elected!)
The trouble with liberals and moderates (often called democrats) is – sooner or later they run out of other peoples money!
Moderates vote exactly the same way as all the roundly chastised libs and conservatives. We announce ourselves by name to be vetted as eligible for voting and are given a ballot
Pick up Black sharpie or #2 pencil and fill in the dots , connect the arrows, or flip a switch in a Diebold. Whatever your polling place requires.
NO one is in the voting booth with me ( or YOU) and when either you or I close that curtain and make our choices, and register our vote……it’s a done deal for each of us. Same opportunity.
You’ll vote and I’ll vote. I think that is a moderate stance.
.
—– Original Message —–
From: Disqus
To: sdhb@oxfordnetworks.net
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2012 3:48 PM
Subject: [bdn] Re: Moderates get it from both sides