Explain your Ideology to a Moderate

[MoralLibertarian]

In the battle for power, the communication of your principles is central to the debate.

There's a reason why Reagan was elected and somewhat successful with his agenda: he was able to effectively communicate a right-wing agenda and make it sound good. He's the only president I know who ran on cutting an entire section of the federal government and got elected. He satisfied both the right wing base's desires, but in communicating his ideas he made them attractive to the center. As a result, the center moved towards Reagan, not visa versa.

Today, Hillary Clinton is trying to move towards the center by complaining about abortions, video games, taking a miniscule role in the culture war, quoting the Bible, etc. but she's alienating her base: Maureen Dowd writes that Hillary's still not left-wing enough. And then on the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Bush, who sort of ignores the moderates and runs on the strength of his base: he was able to get away with this in the 04 election because he was fortunate enough to run against a moron, but he takes a beating everyday in the polls today.

I think that in spite of this, the public today has a desire for ideology and is waiting for an effective communicator to persuade them. I suggest that we use this topic to make our ideology sound as good as possible. Our ideology makes a lot of sense in our own heads, and we have to communicate that to moderates.

[RedSkunk]

I think the public is stupid and votes for whoever is taller.

Huh.

[RedSkunk]

What ideology? Our entire politic? If I was attempt to appeal to them, I would fail to mention half of my politics. I would expound on the humanistic ideals that are the basis for my beliefs. What's it to you?

[MoralLibertarian]

....what the fuck? What the fucking fuck??!

[IllustriousPotentate]

Screw Moderates.

They need to be like us and take politics to the EXTREME (right or left).

Seriously, I don't think the moderate group is as large as it used to be, as the nation becomes increasingly polarized. I don't think catering to the moderates is as important now as catering to your base to keep them from becoming moderates.

[Xiivi]

At 2/8/06 11:51 PM, IllustriousPotentate wrote: Seriously, I don't think the moderate group is as large as it used to be, as the nation becomes increasingly polarized. I don't think catering to the moderates is as important now as catering to your base to keep them from becoming moderates.

According to the textbook "American Government 8th Edition" by James Wilson party identification has been slowly decreasing and the number of moderates is rising. In 1960 22% were monderates. In 1980 31% were moderates. And in 2000 36% were moderates. The moderate force is becoming just as big as the right and the left. Thus it is valuable and would be a huge mistake to neglect.

[RedSkunk]

Any attempt at making absolute sorts of distinctions between "moderates" and others is suspect in my view. Still, the point might hold true.

[Battlefront-Ryoko]

the goverment sucks ass thats all there is to it

[Imperator]

Pro-War. Pro-choice. Pro-death Penalty.
Pro-big government. But the Executive Branch powers need work and definition....or fewer powers.......
Prefer tax cuts for the poor (me).
Favored Clinton (too young to vote though).
Believe the Spy-tapping crap is legal, but stretches freedoms too far.
View the current Copyright Laws as the biggest block to freedom of speech and innovation (we don't got the nice UK "use it or loose it" patent and copyright clause).

Think Bush is an idiot, but I'd be speaking (insert random country) if Kerry was in office, if I was still alive at this point and Armageddon hand't occurred. Same with Albert Gore......

Roman Catholic, but currenty atheistic . Don't pray, haven't gone to Church since Christmas (note how I still say I am RC, as I was Confirmed, thus, NO ESCAPE!?!?!?! lol).

Believe the $500B or whatever defense budget is low, but more money needs to be invested in social reforms (I need a money tree......).

Prefer Fox News to MSNBC, but also watch CNN and BBC to balance it all out.

Wish Powell didn't retire and ran for President (Utopia anyone?)

I tend to like Republicans more and agree with them more, but most polls I take put me on the left.

Likes long walks on the beach, sunsets, a fine cigar and glass of bourbon by the fire, classical music............

[Imperator]

oops, hit the button by mistake......

Well, I guess my point was I don't really know what I am, I'm all over the map half the time.

I'll let you tell me what I am.

[TwO-FaCeD-PaRaNoID]

why is every president a rich man??
it just doesn't sound like democracy, when someone can only become president if he has enough cash to run a campaign.

In my country the prime minister still does his own dishes.

[ShitstormLX]

At 2/8/06 11:02 PM, AustrianSnowAngel wrote:

most people who drive to mall are morons and I WISH THEY'D RUN OUT OF GAS FROM DRIVING TO SLOW.

What gets under my skin is they speed up rapidly right in front of you as they turn in to the road you're in then they nail you

[MortifiedPenguins]

At 2/18/06 04:29 AM, TwO_FaCeD_PaRaNoID wrote: why is every president a rich man??
it just doesn't sound like democracy, when someone can only become president if he has enough cash to run a campaign.

In my country the prime minister still does his own dishes.

America isn't a Democracy.

The founding fathers were afraid of Democracy.

Mob Rule.

[Werewolf91]

I am Pro-Choice as long as you only have an abortion around the beginning of the second trimester or earlier and the person having the abortion is having it because of a medical condition or rape, but other than that I'm Pro-Life. I believe that abortion is a sin and messes things up in the spiritual world, so I would advocate abstinence and sexual responsibility.

. . .

I wonder if I'd be considered a moderate for my views. >_>

I might explain more of my views later.

[Roth-Productions]

At 2/18/06 04:29 AM, TwO_FaCeD_PaRaNoID wrote: why is every president a rich man??
it just doesn't sound like democracy, when someone can only become president if he has enough cash to run a campaign.

In my country the prime minister still does his own dishes.

Any way you look at it, democracy isn't perfect, whether practiced flawlessly or not, or even direct democracy. No, the perfect political system hasn't been invented yet, in my opinion.

[IllustriousPotentate]

At 2/18/06 04:29 AM, TwO_FaCeD_PaRaNoID wrote: why is every president a rich man??
it just doesn't sound like democracy, when someone can only become president if he has enough cash to run a campaign.

In my country the prime minister still does his own dishes.

Actually, it's not a democracy at all, it's a republic. If it were a true democracy, laws would be made and passed by popular referenda--there would be little or no need for an executive leader--at least not in the present form as president.

[GunCrave]

At 2/18/06 07:01 PM, IllustriousPotentate wrote: Actually, it's not a democracy at all, it's a republic. If it were a true democracy, laws would be made and passed by popular referenda--there would be little or no need for an executive leader--at least not in the present form as president.

Hold your horses, Illustrious, I could of sworn we lived in a Democratic-Republic .

[Nylo]

At 2/8/06 11:42 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote: ....what the fuck? What the fucking fuck??!

Kind of makes you remember where the influence was in the Roman term "The Mob", no?

[Nylo]

At 2/18/06 07:19 PM, 1WingedDragon wrote: Hold your horses, Illustrious, I could of sworn we lived in a Democratic-Republic .

Thank you JESUS! Someone's got it down. And my faith is saved.