I want to hat-tip y'all to Our (RC Jake-r) Fran's latest, Why the Center Matters (which is what I think Stewart, in particular, is promoting).
Don't get me wrong: I'd LOVE to be a Centrist. I'd love to be moderate, and NOT put so much stock (figuratively, of course) in politics.
But as I said at Fran's, when Centrists are content to be Centrists (esp. when such Centrists are Democrats), Right-Wingnuts Take Control.
...and it's not (usually) white middle-class Centrists (even those of a Democratic bent) who pay the price for the Centrist contentment/funnin' (ala 10-30-10).
While Stewart & Colbert can yuk it up (if not-so-secretly REVEL in the Wingnuts-In-Charge wingNUTtiness), it's others (less white and much, MUCH less wealthy) who pay the price.
OK, it's Friday. Even *I* just want to go have a beer, and not think (seriously) about politics...
I don't like extremism or ideological politics, especially of the "end justifies the means" kind, or of the purity test kind. But, I am a partisan, and I think there are things worth fighting for even if people get bothered and upset by it. Sometimes you have to kick the ogre in the shins to get his attention. As Hendrick Hertzberg once observed, "Niceness is the enemy of fairness."
I agree with JCF. Centrism is not an end in itself, nor should it be, especially with folks successfully pushing the political center further and further rightward over the last 30 years. Remember, what was once fringe John Bircher nuttiness is now solemnly discussed on the pages of the Washington Post and on NPR as serious mainstream opinion with a realistic chance of taking power and making policy. So, what center are we talking about here?
what was once fringe John Bircher nuttiness is now solemnly discussed on the pages of the Washington Post and on NPR as serious mainstream opinion with a realistic chance of taking power and making policy.
Yup.
Just a few years ago, anyone who would compel a rape victim to bear her rapist's offspring was seen as a sub-human (sub-Republican, even!) fetus-fetish misogynistic FREAK.
Now, fully *FIVE* GOP Senate candidates (at least) are on the Bear-Your-Rapist's-Baby train. But La-Dee-Da, and the Dems wouldn't even fight to keep the status quo (you can use your own money to purchase abortion coverage) in the Health Care Reform bill. Because the WHOLE CONVERSATION has drifted Rightward, in the Name of Centrist Compromise (which those on the Right NEVER do!!!)
Virtually every Left-y I know, has a self-deprecating "Of Course I Could Be Wrong" side (why, I even know someone who uses that title for his blog! ;-p)
Not only is the Right NEVER "wrong", following an electoral loss, the only possible reaction is filibuster stonewalling (EVERY issue) . . . w/ the threat of a "Second Amendment Remedy" in the backpocket (or side-holster :-0)!
The premise of Centrism, is to "split the difference" of extremes. Two extremes. But if one side has already compromised itself to the Center, while the side, uncompromised, moves farther and farther Right? And then ON TOP of that, the Centrists compromise yet further? O_o
I think if more people show up to the Comedy Central rallies than Beck's, that would e a good thing.
Well, no argument there: IT, ya wanna buy me a plane ticket/lodging, too? ;-)
[Sorry if I'm especially rant-y today. I got stung by a wasp while hiking, and---despite everything I do to/for it---it's still hurting like hell. And since I don't have health insurance, OTC remedies are all I can do! }-X ]
I'd feel better about the whole clam bake if there were voter registration tables there. I'm not sure "chill out" is the right message for a demographic that almost never votes anyway.
9 comments:
Staying with MARGARET! Very cool!
[Margaret's in DC? O_o]
I have mixed feelings about this.
I want to hat-tip y'all to Our (RC Jake-r) Fran's latest, Why the Center Matters (which is what I think Stewart, in particular, is promoting).
Don't get me wrong: I'd LOVE to be a Centrist. I'd love to be moderate, and NOT put so much stock (figuratively, of course) in politics.
But as I said at Fran's, when Centrists are content to be Centrists (esp. when such Centrists are Democrats), Right-Wingnuts Take Control.
...and it's not (usually) white middle-class Centrists (even those of a Democratic bent) who pay the price for the Centrist contentment/funnin' (ala 10-30-10).
While Stewart & Colbert can yuk it up (if not-so-secretly REVEL in the Wingnuts-In-Charge wingNUTtiness), it's others (less white and much, MUCH less wealthy) who pay the price.
OK, it's Friday. Even *I* just want to go have a beer, and not think (seriously) about politics...
I disagree. Partisan purity on either side is equally problematic. Purity leads to a blind world.
WE all have to share the same country....or the same table. The humorists are pointing this out, as a way of expressing their dismay at teh stoopid.
I have to say, BP and I are checking flight times. This one, we might do.
I voted republican once, I will never do it again! Compromise is important but not as important as basic liberties.
I don't like extremism or ideological politics, especially of the "end justifies the means" kind, or of the purity test kind.
But, I am a partisan, and I think there are things worth fighting for even if people get bothered and upset by it. Sometimes you have to kick the ogre in the shins to get his attention.
As Hendrick Hertzberg once observed, "Niceness is the enemy of fairness."
I agree with JCF. Centrism is not an end in itself, nor should it be, especially with folks successfully pushing the political center further and further rightward over the last 30 years.
Remember, what was once fringe John Bircher nuttiness is now solemnly discussed on the pages of the Washington Post and on NPR as serious mainstream opinion with a realistic chance of taking power and making policy.
So, what center are we talking about here?
I think if more people show up to the Comedy Central rallies than Beck's, that would e a good thing.
what was once fringe John Bircher nuttiness is now solemnly discussed on the pages of the Washington Post and on NPR as serious mainstream opinion with a realistic chance of taking power and making policy.
Yup.
Just a few years ago, anyone who would compel a rape victim to bear her rapist's offspring was seen as a sub-human (sub-Republican, even!) fetus-fetish misogynistic FREAK.
Now, fully *FIVE* GOP Senate candidates (at least) are on the Bear-Your-Rapist's-Baby train. But La-Dee-Da, and the Dems wouldn't even fight to keep the status quo (you can use your own money to purchase abortion coverage) in the Health Care Reform bill. Because the WHOLE CONVERSATION has drifted Rightward, in the Name of Centrist Compromise (which those on the Right NEVER do!!!)
Virtually every Left-y I know, has a self-deprecating "Of Course I Could Be Wrong" side (why, I even know someone who uses that title for his blog! ;-p)
Not only is the Right NEVER "wrong", following an electoral loss, the only possible reaction is filibuster stonewalling (EVERY issue) . . . w/ the threat of a "Second Amendment Remedy" in the backpocket (or side-holster :-0)!
The premise of Centrism, is to "split the difference" of extremes. Two extremes. But if one side has already compromised itself to the Center, while the side, uncompromised, moves farther and farther Right? And then ON TOP of that, the Centrists compromise yet further? O_o
I think if more people show up to the Comedy Central rallies than Beck's, that would e a good thing.
Well, no argument there: IT, ya wanna buy me a plane ticket/lodging, too? ;-)
[Sorry if I'm especially rant-y today. I got stung by a wasp while hiking, and---despite everything I do to/for it---it's still hurting like hell. And since I don't have health insurance, OTC remedies are all I can do! }-X ]
Y'all c'mon!
I'd feel better about the whole clam bake if there were voter registration tables there. I'm not sure "chill out" is the right message for a demographic that almost never votes anyway.
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