Please, Run Our Nation In Moderation
Ross Perot’s success in 1992 shows how many voters were searching for a political center, having come to believe that both parties were moving away from that center and, thus, from them. The Perot voters got involved in politics as they had never done before because, I suspect, they came to believe as did Alfred E. Smith that “All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.”
In 1994, convinced the Democrats were too set in their liberal ways to change, Americans voted for a Republican congressional majority. But now the Republicans appear to many people to be going too far right. And since this nation’s democratic tradition has generally favored moderation, the search for the political center is certain to play a role during the 1996 elections.
It is no wonder, then, that Democrat Bill Clinton is talking about finding common ground and building consensus; that several political moderates are thinking about an independent run for his office; and that a number of Republican moderates around the country are organizing to regain control of their party.
Americans in the middle don’t have much patience with radicals and reactionaries. Centrists don’t define the nation’s problems as either-or-else situations.
Centrists don’t want too much government, but they also don’t want to dismantle it. They want their constitutional rights, but they don’t want them at the expense of someone else’s rights. They may not be excited about saving the spotted owl, but they darn well want a clean and safe environment for their kids to grow up in.
On one hand, they think welfare is bad when it goes to people who can work. And on the other, it is just fine when it goes to people who are down and out and need help.
Centrists agree that Social Security and Medicare are too expensive, but that seniors shouldn’t suffer from a neglectful society, either. Fewer guns in society is preferable to a howitzer for everyone, but hunters should be able to get guns for sport and law-abiding citizens should be able to possess a firearm for protection.
Centrists are not so concerned about abortion as they are about health care in general. They couldn’t care less about a Star Wars defense, but they are very concerned about crime in their own neighborhoods. They don’t mind paying taxes, but they want their tax money spent wisely. They believe that religion is a powerful source for morality, but they want to ensure that church and state are separate. They think public education isn’t what it should be, but they still believe in public education.
Those in the middle are not without strong opinions and values, but they understand that this nation is very diverse - racially, demographically, economically, educationally and more. They recognize that problems are best addressed by the shared energy of many citizens working together.
But the large number of moderates makes organizing difficult. They tend to have their time filled with the concerns of daily living. Further, they may not know where to turn to become involved, and as a result, they appear to be apathetic when they are really just frustrated by the system they wish to access.
In the great American in-between, ideas abound and public debate is rich with different opinions and experiences. Thus, those who espouse moderation understand that extremists should have a place at the political table. Extremists help define the outer limits and their passion can encourage creativity.
Moderation can coexist with extreme views. It’s extreme views that give short shrift to moderation.
Alexander Hamilton during the Federal Convention debates in 1787 said, “Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.” Most Americans believe that.
But to assure that despotism and extremes are curbed, the moderate majority must choose to become politically active at the grass-roots level. For it is there, in their own communities, that they have the greatest opportunity to play a vital role in nurturing liberty.
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