What does it really MEAN when people label themselves as political "moderates"?

[Dragonfli]

65. You have described well what it should mean, at least in the context of right/left pol. ideology

What the term appears to mean at this time in politics is a label to describe those that are fiscally conservative yet socially liberal (Reagan Democrats or third way "new" Democrats as well as Republicans that are pro choice and do not hate people of differing sexuality would fit this mold).

It is also sold as a "pragmatic" means to find the best solution somewhere between the views of Republicans and Democrats, the problem being that it leads to false solutions between one who is provable incorrect and one who is not - as an example, the idea that supply side economics is as likely to help the economy as Keynesian economics during a depression is flawed, bolstering the already wealthy with more wealth is not stimulative and never will be, whereas providing a means for the majority of people to have more to spend actually is stimulative and always will be.

so

The "middle" where cutting food stamps (but not as much) while cutting taxes on the wealthy (but not as much) while elimination some loopholes (increasing revenue) will never be the best solution to stimulate the economy, even though such a "centrist" position could be said to lie directly in the middle of the current state of the policy views of the two major parties (both have moved quite a bit right over the years, so IMO even the center is only center right at best at present).

Unfortunately such a "middle position" is the bread and butter of the modern "moderate" and many if not most of them mistakenly believe (or at least try to sell) it as the best solution possible due to it's lack of what they would term as "extremism".