Centrist Pundits

If there’s anything that unites centrists, it’s the feeling that the two major political parties fall short of enchanting us to the degree that we want to give them all our support. After all, terms like “centrist” and “moderate” are considered by partisans to be invectives.

I’ve looked at other parties before; most are to the left of the Democrats or to the right of the GOP. There are some that appeal to a few moderates; I looked at the Libertarians, but they’re a little too liberal on the social scale for my tastes.

One party with promise seems to be the Modern Whigs. They claim to inherit the rich history of the 19th Century Whigs, which gave us four presidents, and was also the original party of Abraham Lincoln. From a purely marketing perspective, I think that’s genius — because the Party of Lincoln hasn’t really been acting like it for a long time.

Right now, the Whigs seem to not be fully defined. They do have some basic tenets listed on their website, including a fiscally conservative policy that is state-driven, emphasis on scientific research and development, and a recognition that the economic and national security future of this country depend on energy independence. Also, there is a tenet about veterans affairs that seems to be common sense, but has a prominent placement that’s likely due to the fact that the party was re-established by veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

As for other issues, they do go into some… well, detail isn’t the right word. They touch on some of them, and I think this is an area that the Whigs need to work on. Many issues are kicked to states rights. And that’s fine, but when they do that for Gay Rights, there’s nothing on the party’s view on federal issues, such as federal recognition of same-sex marriages for social security retirement benefits and for joint tax returns, or about federal laws like DOMA.

I am not sure if that reflects a lack of resources to get that information on the website, or if it’s simply because the Whigs haven’t fully defined themselves on some issues. If it’s the former, they really need to get some proper position papers out there on some key issues. Not every issue under the sun, but some areas to fully explain what it means to be a Whig. If it’s the latter, then they need to figure out what they’re about.

There’s also a possibility that they’re shying away from some controversial issues to keep from alienating potential supporters. In fact, their statement on abortion appears to be just that. Not that I blame them for wanting to stay away from it — it’s an issue that sucks time, energy and money away from critical issues like health care, national defense, the economy, and education. But you can’t look like you’re dancing around the issue if you want to be taken seriously.

The Whigs have ballot access in Florida, and have three candidates for Congress next year. I listened into a web conference they had with the candidates, and by far, the most appealing was Paul McKain. He seems like the real deal, and if I lived in his district, I think I’d be voting for him.

I’ll be paying attention to the Whigs. I’d have gone to a meeting to find out more, but they don’t seem to have any state organization here, nor can I find anyone else why has heard of them. Maybe that will change… I’ll see!

Greg Congress, National Politics, Political Parties whigs

Sometimes, what the parties send out that might look like a desire to know where their supporters stand is actually a push-poll designed to raise revenue. Here’s a recent example from the GOP:

Republican Census Document

Greg 2012 Election, National Politics, Political Parties gop

Can we take back the Nobel Prize and exchange it for the Olympics? I mean, there’s actually been work done towards the Olympics…

Greg Foreign Relations, National Politics, Personalities

I like to think I am a fairly bright guy, and I can usually see both sides of an issue. But there’s something I can’t quite understand.

Yesterday, someone was arrested overseas for a 32-year old outstanding warrant after he’d confessed and plead guilty to raping a thirteen year old girl.

However, there are many people who think he shouldn’t have to serve time for his crime — maybe because he’s a celebrity. Can someone explain it to me?

Greg Crime and Punishment, Foreign Relations crime, diplomacy, Media

I’ll try to take the time to look over Obama’s speech more closely, to examine the good and the bad, and what works for Centrists, when I have a little more time.  For now, let me just say, no matter what party the President is, no matter how much you disagree with him… you don’t heckle him at a joint session of Congress.

To be fair, I think Representative Joe Wilson has realized that.  His apology actually did sound sincere.

I wonder if John Boehner even knew he was on camera when he let out a heavy sigh when Obama referred to the fact that the last administration and the Congress is had didn’t try to pay for programs as they went.

In a perfect world, no one would interrupt non-Presidents outside of joint sessions, either – like the town hall problem.  Unfortunately, the extremes of both parties seem to have decided that being the noisiest is equal to being the winner.

Huh.  I wonder.  Maybe the reason the Center is never taken seriously is because its hard to be “extreme” as a centrist.  What would we yell?  ”MAKE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUT SOCIALLY CONSCIONABLE CHOICES NOW!”

JC Congress, Health care, Personalities centrism, Health care, obama

Obama is preparing for a major speech on health care, bringing the debate back to Washington after a month in the town halls across the nation.  While I’m still busy in a job transition, it is Labor day and I have time to write something.

I’m all for single payer, Canadian style.  That’s never really been on the table.  Failing that, I’m all for a public option, and while Obama is supposedly going to make a case for it tomorrow, it probably doesn’t have the popularity to become law.  But my main concern is this: I’m all for other reform, as well.  And I don’t know if other reforms will come when what is considered the main reforms by the party in power fall short.

Because while I may consider the public option needed, I still want and think we need torte reform.  I still want and think we need to fix the problems with pre-existing conditions and with insurance companies dropping some people when they get sick.  We need to fix the fact that medical decisions aren’t made by doctors, and that medication is too expensive.

I don’t know what will happen, and any pundit who tells you they do is a liar.  The situation is complex and ever evolving.  Where we go from here is up to the people in Washington, but send your letters anyway.  It can’t hurt and it could conceivably help.

JC Health care Health care, obama

The Lion of the Senate has passed.

Whether you agreed with his views or not, whatever you thought of some of the more controversial aspects of his life, there is no denying that Ted Kennedy is one of the, if not the, most influential Senators of our time.

His name is on many of the most important bills that have passed since he started in the Senate in 1962.  And despite being a fairly ardent liberal, he was the go-to Senator for bipartisan bills from the Republicans, because he got stuff done.

I’m normally an advocate for term limits, but then I forget that would have shortened the legacy of some truly awesome American leaders, like Kennedy.

If there’s anything to take away from this, anything looking forward, instead of past – not that his history won’t be examined – but it is merely this - Ted Kennedy beleived that people can get things done.  He made it true in his own life and encouraged it in others.

“The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on.”

What are you doing to live up to the idea that you can make a difference?  What are you doing to make America a better place?

JC Personalities death, senators, Ted Kennedy

I was listening to the morning radio talk shows this morning, and the story for once was not health care.  Instead, there was a lot of discussion of the release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, found guilty of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, on compassionate grounds; he’s being allowed to die in his own bed as he has fewer than 3 months to live.

Let me start by saying I don’t really support this.  He murdered 270 people, I’m not sure that he should still get to die in his own bed, rather than alone and unloved.  But I don’t really want to talk about whether this was the right move on the part of the Scottish judges.  That was their call, not mine.

I want to talk about the callers, most of whom were asking “how would you feel if your family was amongst the victim of this crime?”  It seems like a good argument, on the surface of it.  It appeals to everyone, and it connects you instantly.  But it is completely and utterly contrary to our system of justice (and the British one, at that).

We explicitly have a justice system that doesn’t let the victims decide the appropriate punishment for the perpetrator of the criminal.  This is on purpose.  Families are certainly (in America, at least) able to work towards, by testimony, harsher punishments or denial of parole, but they are not the sole or even the overwhelming factor in decisions on how to punish people.  Justice is blind in an attempt to be fair, to not be overwhelmed by the emotion of the situation.

I have friends who have been the victims of major crimes, or have close relationships with the victims, and I see, when it comes up, how much it hurts to be a victim.  One case in particular does nothing but anger me on behalf of my friend due to the complete and utter manipulation of the system by the criminal.  But do we make our best judgments in anger, or in grief?  The system says no, and I agree with them.

Perhaps some people like it.  I’m all for harsh punishments, actually.  A world in which every murderer is put to death doesn’t really bother me that much, but it wouldn’t stop there.  Any crime that leaves the victim feeling violated – which is most of them – would result in gruesome ends.

By all means, let’s make sure that whatever law is on the books in Scotland that allowed this doesn’t let criminals don’t get out in this nation.  But let’s remember to argue about how the system works and how the system should work, not about how it doesn’t work.

JC Crime and Punishment, Foreign Relations, Terrorism courts, crime, Pan Am Flight 103

As mentioned in a previous posting, I’ve been able to write less frequently lately.  The good news: what was causing the slow down was my attempt to get a new job, and it has been successful.  The bad news:  This new job is actually a major jump in responsibility so posting will continue to be sporadic until I’m more comfortable in the position, despite the huge national debate going on at the moment.

So it is a perfect time for guest columns!  Feel free to email a column to Greg or I!

This site remains important to me, and I do want to keep going on it.  I didn’t want you all to think I had left, but the pace will be slow for some time to come.

JC Centrist Pundits

The White House has launched a website called “reality check” which is specifically designed to fight the more outrageous nonsense in the health care debate.  (Insert partisan politics here)

You can see the site here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/

That said, ignoring the politics, I have to agree with a pundit I was reading this morning.  I’m not sure this debate is in the realm of facts any more.  I’m not sure it can be won by proving what is true or by being correct.

I suppose we shall see.

JC Health care Health care, obama