Moderates have wishes, too. Consider these 12 for 2022
We once were regarded as the large if low-key political center, driven by common sense and guided by the common good.
Today, we’re sliced and diced by political analysts who consider us too ideologically diverse to be courted by the GOP or even most Democrats.
As moderates, we fundamentally believe in compromise, which currently is a dirty word in Congress.
While moderates may be neglected these days, we believe there still are millions of us in this fractured country who hold out hope for a future in which bipartisanship and democratic values can stage a comeback.
In the spirit of the season, here is one moderate’s wish list of positions for voters to consider in 2022 (and beyond):
1) Favoring a position that views infrastructure improvement, fact-based public health campaigns, and a balanced federal budget as nonpolitical initiatives that should be embraced by all.
2) Calling out the hypocrisy of creating laws to protect the rights of the unborn while insisting on laws and policies to ban vaccines and masking mandates that are designed to save lives. How can one support a position that disregards the statistic of 800,000 COVID deaths to date in America?
3) Supporting freedom of speech based on respect for all sides, and opposing both seditious language of the far right and PC language of the far left that drive polarization and undermine democracy.
4) Opposing a system of governance dominated by shameless gerrymandering, special interest groups or “dark money.”
5) Imploring the Republican party to rediscover a moral compass and electing representatives who value a commitment to truth and democratic values more than twisted views of God and guns. Also, opposing those who try to game the electoral system in many states to embed their power.
6) Imploring the Democratic party to overcome internal squabbling and not cave to its “woke” wing. Supporting a party that focuses more on big ideas than niche identity politics and that can balance the need for regulation with the need to support our capitalist economy.
7) Supporting a view that the best democracy is the most inclusive democracy. That means supporting, not suppressing the ability to vote, and expediting a path to citizenship for immigrants who historically have been among the greatest supporters of democracy. It also means qualifying voters through a national ID card.
8) Fostering respect for the military and law enforcement, tempered by an insistence on enforcement of standards of conduct as well as better training needed to maintain objectivity and restraint required in hostile situations. A commitment to “informed funding,” not “de-funding.”
9) Supporting an educational curriculum that acknowledges the flaws in our history — every nation has them — but frames the American story in an aspirational context that reflects the Idea of America.
10) Promoting a society that values civics education as much as it values its allegiance to sports teams.
11) Becoming a citizenry that challenges itself to think more critically about issues and that resists drinking the Kool-aid it encounters on cable TV political shows, talk radio and the social media. Understanding that the “fake news” and “enemy of the people” narratives are false and destructive to democracy. Understanding that freedom of the press and respect for our legitimate newsgathering organizations differentiates America from most of the rest of the world.
12) Perhaps most of all, striving to become a country based in improved parenting — one where respect for all people and self-discipline, a strong focus on manners, standards of decency, and high goals are valued more than self-indulgence and excessive self-affirmation.
If we can resist litmus test politics and excessive self-serving behavior and embrace nonpartisan, moderate viewpoints, though, we can reinvigorate our country, improve civil discourse, and restore our faith in government.
We’ll also be a happier people.
Central Ohio resident Jim Simon is a consultant, columnist, and former chief communications officer of several corporations. Contact him at jimsimon.voices@gmail.com or via Twitter @jimsimon2051.