I am sometimes surprised at how extreme I can be when it comes to certain items. Generally, I'm in the moderate-to-liberal camp, but some things push me pretty hard one way or the other.
I think that the federal government has a role in life, doing things that can't (or won't) be done by the states and individuals. At the same time, I resent the idea of government as a growth industry. I like it when government watches out for me, as in food inspections and the SEC, but I don't like it when government watches me, as in monitoring cameras and secret databases. I don't think that the government is best which governs least, but I do think the government is better that governs less. I understand the role of the TSA but I despise the way it operates. I think that the police have a job that can be tough, and they should have our emotional and practical support, but I don't believe that they should have free rein to do whatever they think is expedient, and I think that they should have effective oversight. I like the idea of a judiciary that rules based both on the letter and the spirit of the law, but I don't like them straying too far from what the law actually says. I don't think that the Constitution is sacrosanct, but I think we're generally better off when we act as if it is. I'm not at all fond of the commingling of church and state, but I like people to be aware of and guided by both. I think the military should be strong, and multicultural, but I don't think it should get to take over the budget, and I don't think it's their role to push societal change (I agree with Chairman Fitzwallace). I get uneasy at the idea of private gun ownership, but, for the most part, I don't think it should be restricted, because I think most gun owners are reasonable people who are careful with their weapons. I don't trust the NRA leadership, but I think I'd trust the members. I support gay marriage, but I don't know how I'd feel if my daughter went that route. I truly think that John McCain is the wrong choice for this country, but I wish that Obama had more experience.
And I don't really think we should have surface to air missiles to take out the occasional helicopter that likes to cruise low, but wouldn't it be fun? Okay, maybe not.
4 comments:
We are similar, Bill, in that I also kind of go both right and left. But I guess I fall to the right of my moderate side.
Still, though, it's frustrating in the middle, isn't it.
I think its only frustrating if you let the fringe elements get to you. Moderation does not mean capitulation, though thats what the wild eyed fanatics will tell you.
Course, from what you say, you and I balance each other,attitudinally speaking. I think thats a good thing, don't you?
A very good thing.
Hard not to let the lunatic fringe get to me sometimes. Aughhh! The squeaky wheel gets the grease, I suppose.
Nothing says that the squeaky wheel can't be the moderate one, calling attention to itself -- though that does remind me of the old joke about moderates marching in a protest rally == We demand sufficient recognition at a time that's convenient for you!
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