“They dont have core beliefs and swing back and forth.”

That is what MAKES them so powerful. Neither the libs nor the conservatives have enough votes to win by themselves. It is the independents who decide the election.

If you have 47% of the electorate voting for the conservative candidate and 20% voting for the liberal, it is how the 37% of the moderates break that decides the election.

I don’t like the term “moderate”, though. I don’t align completely with the “conservatives” on all issues nor do I align with much of the liberal agenda but I don’t consider myself “moderate” at all.

I favor a strong defense, support private enterprise, favor limiting the federal government, believe issues such as gay marriage and abortion should be left to the various states to decide. I believe a solution to the immigration problem should be reached and would favor something like making work permits available for $1000 and denial of citizenship to children of permit holders born in the US. Arrest or unemployment would result in revocation of the permit and deportation. Voluntary repatriation within 3 months after the loss of a job would allow the permit holder to return upon proof of employment. After completion of military service or 10 years here with a clean record, consistent employment, payment of taxes, and demonstrated command of english, one could BEGIN the process of citizenship.

But I am also pro choice at the federal level and believe the decision on allowing it or not allowing it should be made by the states. I am also against such things as teaching “intelligent design” or any creationism of any sort (ANY religion’s creation belief) in the public schools so I am not in alignment with many conservatives on some issues. I don’t consider myself “moderate” because I am not particularly moderate in my belief in these things.

I believe our current welfare system helps people to death. It treats a symptom but does not address the causes of poverty and gives a disincentive for self reliance. These programs perpetuate poverty through the generations.

I generally see “liberals” as “dangerous” in economics, defense, and the social fabric. I see “conservatives” as dangerous in certain social aspects. There isn’t a party that reflects my views entirely but the Republicans “suck less” in general according to my values.

A “conservative” candidate coming out strongly about teaching creationism in the public schools would lose my vote unless my district had school choice and vouchers so I could pull my kids out of the public schools and place them where I want them placed. We are Christians and we believe in creation but church is the place for that teaching, not the school. What if my district eventually is populated by people of a different religion? What if they want to teach their religion in the school? What if they want to teach that the world was created by a turtle or something and they are the majority population? Religion should be kept out of the school because there are so many of them. If one religion is allowed in, then they all need to be allowed in and soon the school is teaching various religions and has no time to teach math.

The “moderates” are powerful because neither of the mainstream parties has enough people to carry an election and which way the moderates break decides the winner.

crosspatch on October 27, 2009 at 1:02 AM