It's time we talked about politics.
If you didn't tune in last Tuesday, CNN held the first Democratic Party debate on live television... and boy was it interesting. The top Democratic contenders vied for the most attention to be declared the winners by CNN pundits. Now I won't go into too many details here, but one of the biggest things I noticed by both this debate and the earlier Republican debate: division. "We are better than the Republicans because..." "The Democrats did _____ and that makes them unAmerican, unlike us."
But I don't believe in division. Let me give you an example.
I am an Hispanic Male recently graduated from college. Based off stereotypes, I should as Democratic as Democratic can be with socialistic ideology and major immigration reforms.
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!
I am also a Mormon CIS Male living in the Jello Belt (Im talking to you Utah, Arizona, and Idaho). So by that definition, I must be a Tea Party Conservative devout to capitalist ideals such as a market driven economy and a strict return to traditional morality.
But I'm actually both... wait what?
I have a little secret for yall's ... I'm a Moderate.
Ah yes, a Moderate. By definition not extreme enough to fit into either the "Liberal" nor "conservative" labels but at the same time alienating both sides.
For the radical right... I'm too left
for the radical left...I'm too right
I mean, think about it:
Because moderates are not easily put into an idealistic corner, We get to have a huge political buffet with every option available to us.
I call it "living in the grey."
Many of the issues talked about in the media and by candidates are not black and white as both sides would try and paint. Take abortion, for instance. Black and White. Murder or Free Choice... that's it? Or is it rather a super complex issue where both sides have valid points? Gay Marriage: Morally wrong or Bigotry... that's it? Or is it another issue where both sides can be right and wrong at the same time?
See what I mean? When we attempt to make all "hot button" issues black or white, we lose the chance to hear both sides of the argument. In other words... we remain divided.
Now if you looked at some of the issues I address above and think "I'm totally with this dude! There is no clear black and white!" well then here's a secret... you might be a moderate.
Here's another little secret... we're everywhere! In fact.. we make up about 35% of the population, according to Gallup research.
Hence why I live in the grey. And let me tell you... its a party!
As a moderate, I believe in finding solutions that can benefit as much of the society as possible. That means crossing party lines and ideological barriers, rejecting the divisive rhetoric of both sides, to come to as much of a compromise as possible (I'm excluding the 3/5 Compromise in this case cause that was ... just ... bad).
I believe that people are stronger united than they are divided and that by coming together with different viewpoints, navigating the area where ideas overlap.. the "grey"... we can find the ideas and policies that will ensure the best possible life and rights for the most people possible.
And doesn't that sound great?
Until next time Bloggernation,
An Average Nerd