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

[BlueStreak]

67. There is an insidious split-the-difference, false equivalence epidemic

It is intellectual laziness. Yes, there might be some cases where splitting the difference makes sense. Let's say we're looking at a new class of submarine. One side says we need to make them as cheap as possible so we can have more subs. The other side says we need to spend more money to make them safer and more comfortable for the crew. It might makes some sense to split the difference, making them safe and comfortable, but not underwater Taj Mahals.

But in most cases we have morally clear choices, such as "turn Medicare into a voucher system" versus finding other ways to keep that system solvent. The correct answer is not to only turn it halfway into a voucher system, or to make it a voucher system for half the retirees. No, there is right and wrong. And people who think of themselves as "moderates" generally do not have any moral or philosophical guideposts that they feel strongly about.

I can admire the passionate conservatives far more than the fence-sitting "moderates". They are completely worthless given the challenges our nation faces today.