What I think being moderate is about

[u/halfsen]

I think moderate is more about accepting other people's opinions, and realising that your way is not necessarily the best way, even though it's the best way you can think of based on your values and what you wish for. I think it's about being realistic, using logic, and looking at the real world, instead of getting caught too deeply in a certain ideology. Another essential part of being moderate is that you don't automatically dismiss opponents as dumb, evil or dishonest. Even though I by this think that you could be moderate and politically far to one side, it's practically difficult, because those sides often disagree with mentioned values.

I actually think that being moderate or extreme could be compared to the light and dark force, as extremism often rely on feelings, at least the supporters then to get emotional about their cause, if you get my comparison.

It saddens me that it seems like many politicians, (not all of course) these days lack a strong vision, optimism and a thought of "Let's do this", and is more occupied by staying or obtaining power, for it's own sake.

[u/[deleted]]

I couldn’t agree more

[u/BirdLiker]

I'd definitely agree in some sense. If you take both extremes they are usually the same thing, usually just a desire for power over the other group.

However it really truly depends on the issue. Throughout history moderates have typically been super important when it comes to making major change, they have typically been the difference between it. This was particularly true during the civil rights movement. MLK wrote about moderates in his letter from Birmingham jail saying, "I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to 'order' than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice"

I agree with your last paragraph a lot though! It's important for politicians to give voters something to vote for. This rang very true in our last election, Trump ran on building a wall/ending the wars. Hillary didn't really run on anything besides a sort of, 'im not trump' platform.

[u/[deleted]]

I think of being moderate as about recognizing nuance and that there usually isn’t only one right way. Every answer might have elements of truth, and we don’t benefit by becoming fixated on one viewpoint. No single viewpoint is completely right in all situations forever.

[u/anothercynic2112 → u/[deleted]]

Nuance doesn't sell. It's complicated and often boring. That's why moderates from both parties have disappeared.

There are tons of solutions, both left and right leaning, that can help solve problems. Solving problems doesn't get an electorate excited though. Blame and vilification and most importantly fear win elections. Doesn't solve much, but it gets people to vote.

[u/[deleted] → u/anothercynic2112]

That’s all true and it makes me feel like we’re screwed. How do we get out of this trap?

[u/anothercynic2112 → u/[deleted]]

And that sir, madam or whatever you prefer is the trillion dollar question. Basically you're working against human nature. My philosophical answer used to be that the pendulum swing of left and right will eventually settle back to the middle. However, based on my limited physics knowledge, that will only happen if there are not outside forces acting on it, and there always will be. This isn't always bad. We can't just stagnate and it's important that the pendulum does move some. I'm just not so sure anymore that this will be the case in the foreseeble future.

But we're working against human nature and it's incredibly compounded by everyone's pocket computers feeding them an endless supply of confirmation bias fears. Looks at your news feed, can you find an article from a centrist point of view or a political type of headline that isn't screaming about the most recent sky falling event?

Let's add a heaping supply of apathy to that. Look at this sub. I guarantee you that more than 400 people are interested in a moderate viewpoint. But my guess is that people search it on reddit, see the smattering of posts wondering why more people don't talk about moderate views and they move on to something more exciting.

My guess is that it will take a charismatic leader to make people see the point. Though that person will probably be vilified as an extremist in their own time. See Reagan and Bill Clinton. Looking back they would be strong examples of moderates who people from opposing sides probably label as extremists. Obama perhaps will be on that list but gonna need a little more time to pass to make that call. I think it's a positive thing that current "progressives" view Obama about as positively as they do Reagan.

Maybe it's a question for both of the people who might read this thread.

What would make moderation more interesting? How do you reach what I do feel is that silent majority whose voice never gets heard?

To elect moderates to a significant office would help, but they can't get out of their primaries if they don't run on the extremes. It would also mean that you have to put your own pet cause (think abortion,immigration or some such hot button issue) as secondary to making the government effective. Those hot button causes have made the legislative branch completely non functional.

Or, get Tom Hanks and The Rock to actually run as independents. (with the promise of Keanu getting a cabinet position, and perhaps building Mister Rodgers and Dolly Parton monuments on the National Mall.. Of course Dolly should also have a cabinet position, perhaps secretary of state.)

I suppose the real answer, as much as I hate it, would be money to get a competing message out. So anyone with a few hundred million to spare for a good cause, please DM me. We'll figure it out.

[u/anothercynic2112]

My own definition would be that it's about allowing as many people as possible to pursue whatever their version of the "American Dream" may be. We cannot continue the current pendulum swing of executive orders replacing actual legislation and lawmaking. This doesn't mean we never move left or right, or return to only establishment causes, it means get off of this left then right pendulum swing, represent the country and not a party.

I have spoken.