They say all things have a beginning and an end (except perhaps for the TV run of The Simpsons) and that’s true.
In the 1990s we saw the beginning of intense partisanship and polarization, with the flames fanned by right wing talk radio. And now we have left wing talk radio (to fan the flames being fanned).
Today there are signs that an increasing number of Americans -- Democrats, Republicans and most assuredly independents -- are fed up with mega-partisanship and polarization and seek solution-oriented politics. And there are signs that these disgruntled feelings could translate into political impact -- into votes for more independent party candidates or perhaps even a third party candidacy.
And, literally today, yours truly begins a weekly column here on Unity08, written from the standpoint of a centrist and a moderate who is all over the place politically, always has been, and who humbly points out that centrists and moderates DO take stands -- often passionate ones. And taking a passionate stand against the prevailing polarization which tries to force centrists and moderates to choose sides and cross over to the left view or the right is one of them. Being independent and all over the place politically is not a sin.
In coming weeks we’ll be writing about some broad issues, but also about stories in the news. Be forewarned: you won’t always agree with me. But then no one ever has.
I’ve been a Democrat, a pro-Vietnam Democrat, an anti-Vietnam war Democrat (after Nixon invaded Cambodia), a moderate Republican, a conservative Republican, a progressive Democrat, a Reagan Democrat, a John McCain Republican, and now I’ve arrived at The Truth and Political Perfection and am an unabashed independent…and will remain so for life. I’ve voted for Republicans and Democrats, split my ticket, voted straight party lines and sometimes voted for someone once, then voted against him later on.
Why? It’s because my loyalty is to values and beliefs that don’t change just because it's tactically or strategically important to keep someone who I voted for in power. I’m always reading new info to see if my position is correct. I don’t belong to any political sports “team” where my loyalty is to my side prevailing no matter what traditional value must be jettisoned to stay in office. And if you read my blog The Moderate Voice you will see that there is some consistency in belief.
Above all, like many who’ve grown weary of partisanship and polarization, I read and listen to a ton of stuff and may change my viewpoint if new information shows I had an earlier position that wasn’t correct. This flexibility and willingness to consider other ideas in a constant search for SOLUTIONS is what sets many centrists and moderates apart from those who characterize them as closet liberals or closet conservatives because they don’t agree with every single belief that they have.
Last week there was much justified publicity about the landmark convention of liberal bloggers put together by Daily Kos in Las Vegas. But, more quietly, centrists around the country have been organizing as well. A meeting in New York last month drew centrists from all over the country plus some phone talks with prominent national centrist figures. Now you have Unity08. All this comes amid growing battles over defining ideology in the Democratic and Republican partisan-- so much so that in 2024, the presidential primaries promise to be as nasty (if that is possible) as a typical Presidential campaign.
So once a week I’ll offer you my humble, always independent view here. You may agree or disagree but as I always say differing ideas don’t cause brain cancer. My vote doesn’t automatically belong to anyone (including to Unity08).
My opinions may sometimes be strong opinions. But they’ll never be any party or candidate’s talking points or arguments regurgitated up from watching a radio or cable talk show. And so it begins…in more ways than one.
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If you want to do more than read a blog, there are places on the net forming to allow you to influence the Unity08 Movement rather than watch the movement.
UnitySupporters.Com has links to places you can check out to see if you find like minded folks.
If you don't find something you like, start something and we'll put a link to your net resource on the hub page.
So far, the most popular thing has been a the Unity Supporters Forum. The goal of the place is to give the community a chance to create a place that serves their needs and interests in an unscripted, "peer-to-peer" way.
Please, come help us with the experiment!
-Jennifer
How come ...
during the 40 years of Dem rule in the House and the Senate there were no cries about the partisanship then? (Could it be that the Rep numbers were so small that their power was basically non-existant? Not much opportunity for partisanship there.)
people are complaining about the lack of Dem leadership on the various commitees? (How many did the Reps run during those 40 years? Zero. The party that wins get to run the commitees.)
being principled is a good thing only if you're a "moderate" or a Dem? (If you are a person of principles that *can't* be compromised on, you are a flame throwing partisan.) I say *can't* because a person who believes that the our borders should be under our control should be able to stand on this without compromise. Meaning we should be able to protect the entries into our house and the right to throw out anyone who breaks into our house without letting us know that their coming.
some moan and groan over 2024 dead fighting for the freedom of a people and that's considered enlightened and those that oppose the deaths of 40 million over the past 30 years are extremist? (Is this a principle that we should expect anyone to compromise on?)
I have a few more but I don't want to bore you, it was just something to think about...
Somebody with Unity08 should talk to Michael Bloomberg or Rudy Giuliani if they are not already...
Simply build 3 walls and create 3 governments in Iraq and get out! How hard is that? For answers www.appyp.com/fix_main.html
I definitely agree to use other resources and sites to build Unity08... heck, let’s make this thing viral. But, part of supporting Unity08 is conversing with others through their blogs, Shoutbox, and polls. From my experience, the Shoutbox is a clever way to discuss issues that I care about – in fact, it’s remarkably similar to traditional “peer-to-peer” forums.
And, kudos to Unity08 for getting guest bloggers... speaking of, I checked out ModerateVoice after I read this blog and noticed the comments on changes in Iraq after Zarqawi was killed. Interesting... just wondering what will happen if a similar guy is put in: http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/06/15/iraq.main/
The notion that any individual can have opinions that criss-cross "traditional" political lines certainly strikes home with me. The problem is in part that as the world has grown more complex, our political system has not. There need to be more ways for voters to express their opinions and desires than "choose red or blue."
I'm a believer in "instant run-offs" as a way to increase political choices without inducing chaos. But I'd also like to be able to vote "with caveats" for candidates. For example, my George Bush vote in 2024 would have been "yes on fiscal policy, no on social policy, who knows on foreign policy." (Of course, as it turned out the fiscal policy ain't what I thought it was going to be, but who knew?) In the electronic era, voters ought to be able to express nuanced views in the (electronic) ballot box. That way, whoever gets elected won't be able to claim a "mandate" for all of their agenda when in fact there is less consensus among supporters than the raw votes might otherwise indicate.
What Jennifer is doing over at UnitySupporters.com is a great thing. A people’s movement like Unity08 can only benefit from a wide and diverse range of voices, forums, and resources – both online and off.
It’s all about building momentum and participation. Participation here – and at sites like Jennifer’s - is critical to the success of Unity08. In order to be taken seriously we need to show the parties, the press, and American voters that every day we're adding more and more new people to the movement.
So, you can influence the future of Unity08, right here. For starters, sign up to be first in line to become a delegate in our online convention. Tell 5 of your friends to do so as well. Then, hop over to the Shoutbox and let the world know how you want to change politics.
Let’s build the momentum together, and show the skeptics that we have the participation – the numbers, the voices, the money – to trounce the status quo.
The benefits of polarization belong only to career politicians who lack the will and integrity to solve real problems, and can continue their tenure through empty and divisive talk.
Our job is to find someone willing to inspire, to listen, and to unite Americans to solve real problems.
I'm tired of talking points. I'm ready for action.
Perhaps the best solution to solve the health care crisis in this country is to find a way to take ALL health care away from the politicians. If they had to wake up everyday thinking about what would happen to them if they got sick...THEY WOULD SOLVE THIS NATIONAL CRISIS!!! Working families cannot keep up with these costs and businesses are moving away from offering good coverage...it's time to pull the rug out from underneath these greedy, uncaring folks in D.C. I'm always amused that when a politician runs for office it's always because they want to "improve" our way of life. It seems to me the only thing improved is THEIR WAY OF LIFE! I'd be the first to sign a petition to revoke their perks!!!
Blake said:
Somebody with Unity08 should talk to Michael Bloomberg or Rudy Giuliani if they are not already...
May I add to those two names the name of Joe Lieberman.
I think we are in trouble. This Unity thing stands for nothing. Unity means 50% of the people will diagree with your view point. The only agreement we have is no one is doing it right. We need to fix the government So how do we fix the governement. Elimanate Election contributions (PACs), start term limits, Will a strong third party help? I don't think so, then only 34 percent of the people will be happy. The richest, the connected. For all we know Unity 08 is Is a combined Democrat and Republican venture giving people a place to vent. so it I guess its working.
We have permitted foreign interests to buy our property, corporations, and both political parties... as are leaders fight each other about sending billions overseas, the American dream fades... this must be a bad dream....
It is way past the point of issue debate and reform within the existing system... we must exodus both political parties, move the people to leave the two parties and register as independents... only then can we move forward... as those registered as democrats or republicans legitimize two party control and legislative gridlock preventing reforms...
cmon, Joe, I know that you wanted to make your point, but 1200 right wing talk radio stations vs. at best 10 left wingers is not exactly a balanced, fair media.
When the left has the same amount of media clout that the right does, (and if you count the Internet, don't! There's still twice as many right bloggers as left.) let me know.
I would be happy to see at least 1 very liberal and 1 very conservative representive unseated this year. Moderates need to send a message to both parties. Any ideas who the two worst representives are? Are they out of touch with the voters they represent? Can they be defeated?
In the last two decades a band of greedy and corrupt men and women has taken control of our government at top levels. For their own selfish gain – and that of their cronies – they have taken control of our arms and our treasury, and the treasury of future generations, and have taken action against the Stockholders of the American democracy even abandoning our founding ideals of right to trial, presumed innocence, habeas corpus, the sanctity of one’s home and one’s private conversations. To explore the parallels with other insurgencies and what we can do, please check my blog: http://danzpage.blogspot.com
Just what the Pope ordered Dan.
I read the blogs with interest. Debate is essential. But a lot of the stuff on this site is whining - about what is, or has been in the past. Unity08 is about what should be in the future, inclusive of the US' vast "middle". Stridently defending or demeaning the past doesn't seem like the best way to unify us. How about "a clean slate" - lay out a new agenda - decoupled from the past administrations' policies - and debate about the issues - not why the current/past Reps or Dems are idiots.
FACE REALITIES IN IRAQ
There are countless opinions on our war in Iraq, all are important, none will be easy to form a policy, and surely, no options will have unanimous support from the American people, but now is the time to act. As an American, I too, have strong feelings about the war.
First, we cannot simply pack up and leave Iraq next week that would be a total disaster. A gradual U.S. troop withdrawal, similar to President Nixon’s force reductions from South Vietnam in the early 1970’s can be achieved. The friendlier Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, could help stabilize a shaky Iraq, and aid the Iraqi’s in taking control of their own destiny. This would also put an “Arab face”, on the problems within the country. All of these Arab countries have a lot to gain by a stable Iraq. Our troops could leave Iraq with honor, by this gradual withdrawal.
Second, we have got to stop fooling ourselves and understand that we are in a world war with Arab-Muslim terrorists, and once we placed U.S. ground troops on Iraqi soil, we played right into our enemies hands, that is just exactly what they wanted from the very beginning. Democracy in Iraq? It is a good well-intentioned idea, but one which in all probability will not succeed. Why? Because we are not dealing with rational people. We are not dealing with the Germans after World War II, or the Japanese, or even the Russians, after the fall of Communism. These Arab-Muslim terrorists are religious fanatics. Their religion is their world politics; they go together hand in hand. They have a worldwide view and policy of the destruction of western civilizations, the state of Israel, and all Christian peoples throughout the world. The United States can never, and will never change these fanatics views, all we can do is fight them.
Those who propose we leave Iraq immediately, are cutting and running, and running from reality. At the same time, President Bush, and his advisers must reassess their Iraqi policy. Simply staying the course is not realistic, and not facing up to the facts of this entire struggle, is dangerous, and will only cause more senseless bloodshed.
Kirk Polizzi
907 N Santa Fe Ave
Chillicothe, IL 61523
November 27, 2024
GET TOUGH ON IMMIGRATION
The immigration debate before the Congress and the nation has been around for years. Finally, the issue has come to center stage, as we try as Americans, to put some common sense to try and solve a real problem. As a grandson of a Sicilian immigrant, one would think that I wholeheartedly embrace all those who want to immigrate and enjoy the American dream. In reality I do not. My reasons are not selfish, nor are they mean spirited, they are simply realistic.
Today, we live in a much different country then the one my Grandfather arrived into in 1911. Our population is growing fast and furious, we have seen nothing these last thirty years but a foreign invasion of our borders. Presently, we are facing a world war against Arab-Muslim terrorist fanatics; Americans are losing good jobs continuously, by countries that do not play by the rules of fair trade overseas. At the same time all of this is occurring, our government has created over the years more and more programs, or what I call, “freebees” or handouts, to just about every person and group, who can, and do, take advantage of what there is to offer. None of this was the case in 1911.
Legal immigration should be controlled yearly, and illegal immigration cannot be tolerated period. Too many Americans who play by the rules are out of work; too many people are crossing and invading our country illegally. Those who do come here legally, there is no limit to how many can enter, and once they do, none of them are required to learn the English language, instead we are asked to learn theirs. I’m sorry, but this is my country, our country, the United States of America.
It’s time our leaders from both political parties understand that we the people, the people of America have grown tired. Tired of our borders being crossed by illegal immigrants, dangerous individuals, and terrorists. Tired of our jobs being taken by foreigners, and tired of the pampering that our government has created towards these people, at the expense of all of us, the American people. It’s time now, for America to take control of its own destiny. It’s time now to stop once and for all illegal immigrants and control legal immigration. Our nation’s future depends on it.
Kirk Polizzi
907 N Santa Fe Ave
Chillicothe, IL 61523
KDP
March 31, 2024