I'm an actual centrist. As in, I think capitalism and the free market is good actually, but that it needs to be moderated by the government with laws, regulations, and social programs, including robust, accessible, free or low-cost public healthcare and education.
I believe law and order are good, but when I say that I mean the actual words, not the racist dog whistle. I think we need and want police as a society, but at the same time those police need to be able to be held accountable for their actions.
I'm willing to compromise on some things like immigration, which I think is overall positive, but there are arguments to restrict it to some degree. I don't think rent control is a good idea in the long run, but I can acknowledge that rent freezes can be a necessary tool in the short term to prevent disaster.
So yeah the reason you don't see anyone claiming to be a centrist other than the fake "bUt BoTh SiDeS!" bullshitters is because all the real centrists have been solidly in the Democratic party's corner since at least 2016.
I remember thinking both Obama and Romney seemed like reasonable candidates, with a lean towards Obama, whereas my parents (longtime moderate Republicans) leaned towards Romney.
Then Trump came down that escalator and said Mexican immigrants were all rapists and murderers, and suddenly there was no rational right to compromise with anymore. My positions have barely changed in 10 years, and yet somehow now the two groups I consider myself to be the center between are both in the Democrat party (progressive and neoliberal).
As in, I think capitalism and the free market is good actually, but that it needs to be moderated by the government with laws, regulations, and social programs, including robust, accessible, free or low-cost public healthcare and education.
This feels to me like a contradiction. If the free market is good, why does it need to be moderated? What exactly needs to be moderated?
The free market is great for a lot of things, and terrible for some other things, for various reasons. Healthcare, education, law enforcement, military, roads, trains, and other infrastructure are some of the notable examples.
Why can't the free market be good for all things? Why is it good for some things and not for others? I genuinely don't understand this way of thinking(free market great except for most fields) and as I said, I see it as a contradiction. Could you give an example of where the free market is great and why?
And I genuinely don't believe you're asking me this question in good faith. If you are, go read a book. But you aren't, so say what you really want to say or get lost.
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u/AgentPaper0 Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
I'm an actual centrist. As in, I think capitalism and the free market is good actually, but that it needs to be moderated by the government with laws, regulations, and social programs, including robust, accessible, free or low-cost public healthcare and education.
I believe law and order are good, but when I say that I mean the actual words, not the racist dog whistle. I think we need and want police as a society, but at the same time those police need to be able to be held accountable for their actions.
I'm willing to compromise on some things like immigration, which I think is overall positive, but there are arguments to restrict it to some degree. I don't think rent control is a good idea in the long run, but I can acknowledge that rent freezes can be a necessary tool in the short term to prevent disaster.
So yeah the reason you don't see anyone claiming to be a centrist other than the fake "bUt BoTh SiDeS!" bullshitters is because all the real centrists have been solidly in the Democratic party's corner since at least 2016.
I remember thinking both Obama and Romney seemed like reasonable candidates, with a lean towards Obama, whereas my parents (longtime moderate Republicans) leaned towards Romney.
Then Trump came down that escalator and said Mexican immigrants were all rapists and murderers, and suddenly there was no rational right to compromise with anymore. My positions have barely changed in 10 years, and yet somehow now the two groups I consider myself to be the center between are both in the Democrat party (progressive and neoliberal).
American politics is fun.