Centrists Wanted

Wikipedia:

In politics, centrism usually refers to the political ideal of promoting moderate policies which land in the middle ground between different political extremes. Most commonly, this is visualized as part of the one-dimensional political spectrum of Left-Right politics, with centrism landing in the middle between left-wing politics and right-wing politics.

The front page of The Centrist Party says it best: "America is 70% Centrist. So why are we letting 15% from the left and 15% from the right control our nation? We need to support Independent and Centrist candidates, or risk losing another election to special interests."

In light of the recent election I too have to ask: Why are we letting 15% from the left and 15% from the right control our nation?

Have we as a nation given up on rational thought? Or just on the principles of compromise? Maybe I misunderstood in school, but I thought our government was supposed to be designed for majority rule?That would be us, the %70 in the middle!

Until recently, I assumed (like everyone else apparently) that you had to vote either Democrat or Republican. That's why, for the last 32 years I have refused to vote! I like, and dislike certain policies of both parties. Also, I believe that "polarization politics" are used primarily to divide and conquer. Not so? Consider again: with only 2 predominant political parties, 15% of the population has effectively conquered the other 85% when they dominate the election. In years past, it was the Republicans. Today it is the Democrats.

Once again we are ruled by the views of 15%!

Constitution Party analyst Michael Peroutka, takes the view that the U.S. political parties themselves are actually quite close in terms of actual policy and party leadership. They say that political rhetoric is polarized in order to create some illusion of policy difference; however, in practice and action, both parties take a similar approach to government.

"For all the talk about ending business as usual, what is taking place is a reminder that the forces that have controlled politics for many years are now deeply ingrained. The notion of a Red versus Blue America may oversimplify the state of our politics. It may obscure some realities of a country that agrees across party lines on many things. But there is no question that the partisan lines -- and the attitudes underlying them -- are real and remain so at the end of George W. Bush's presidency. A few speeches and some good intentions will not erase all this. The old ways are too seductive for either side to resist." (Dan Balz-Washington Post)

The Solution?

There are many "3rd" parties, ranging from one extreme to another. Ron Gunzburger's Politics1.com lists 49 "3rd" parties, ranging from Socialists, to Nazi, to "The Pot Party"!

While many of these parties are far left of center, and many are far right of center, I have only found one party to date that bills itself as Centrist. Aptly named The Centrist Party, with the motto: "Common Sense for America".

Are they the solution? That remains to be seen, but it should be evident, that SOMETHING must be done!!