Why are "centrist" and "moderates" really conservative

[USAFRetired_Liberal]

I don’t know how many times I have read something online, or saw something on tv, or talked to someone in person who claim to be centrist or moderate but all they do is bash the left and democrats and spew right wing talking points, and they may say one minor thing negative about a Republican and claim that as them being moderate.

[AStern]

1. Don't forget "Independents"

Also almost ALWAYS right wing.

[GopherGal]

2. Because those are the label chosen by cowards

who know that 'Trumpists" are vile and despicable, but they need a name to cover for their hatred and bigotry, so they claim to be "centrist" or "moderate" or "independent" or "undecided voters"

[misanthrope]

3. Because the U.S. is far more right-leaning than it wants to admit

It is much easier to find far right extremists with access to power and higher visibility than it is to find far left extremists who enjoy the same. Take a metaphorical stand in the public square and shout about the abolition of all taxes and the privatization of all services. Then do the same advocating for government seizure of all private services and industry. Gauge the reaction to each.

America has no far left movement. Our far-right are fascists. Our center-right are extremist nationalists. Our center-left are classical conservatives. Our far-left are moral centrist moderates.

A real far-left would advocate for property seizure. Instead, we beg to avoid bankruptcy from medical debt.

[leftstreet]

4. Powerful forces have worked to DESTROY "far left" movements

How do you gauge American sentiment when

a) half the eligible people don't vote
b) what "far left" party would they vote for?

No one is working to destroy the right

[leftstreet]

5. Because they only want teeny tiny changes

Left vs Right has always been about perceptions and policy actions of "change"

Conservative = don't change
Liberal = change

[WarGamer]

6. Because liberal and Conservative ae moving definitions...

Not so long ago, liberals believed in unopposed free speech and were anti-war and once upon a time, Conservatives were globalists who believed at pushing Democracy around the world at the barrel of an M16.

Conservatives used to believe in the rule of law and sanctity of the family... and Liberals made working class Americans the focus of their platform.

Things change, huh?

[genxlib]

7. Because they are embarrassed to align with the GOP

Can't say as I blame them.

Ultimately, they are incredibly damaging to the political system.

If you take a stand to leave a party and then just vote for that party's candidate anyway, all you have done is forfeit your right in selecting the candidate. That is why the GOP candidates keep getting more extreme up and down the ticket. The only people left in the primaries to vote for them are hard right.

[stillcool]

8. easier to get elected

Democrats do the same thing. Like their counterparts, time reveals them for what and who they are.

[rickyhall]

9. Because we've moved so far right & corporations control the media.