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lumberjack_jeff

(33,224 posts)
41. Because for the last 50 years liberals and centrists have fetishized moderation.
Sun Nov 3, 2013, 11:54 AM
Nov 2013

Conservatives have been living by the Goldwater motto, and each year, the goal posts drift a little further to the right. Since "moderates" are chained by varying proximity to that goal post, they get dragged to the right - usually without consciously knowing it.

Liberals and progressives are caught in a "make nice" world view and a practical short-term need to appeal to those moderates. So now, implementing a healthcare plan that is far to the right of the one Nixon supported, ending welfare as we know it, and outright rejecting the Social Security solvency solution designed by Reagan are where the ball lies.

I think we mostly agree that this site is supposed to be a community of people interested in the idea of progressive solutions and moving the needle back to socially conscious priorities. Moderation fails to do that.

I would use gentler terms outside of DU to explain my contempt for moderation. I don't have much respect for anyone who "thinks for themselves" by planting their ideological flag half-way between Stephanie Miller and Glenn Beck. They're not thinking for themselves at all, they are lazily and stupidly splitting the difference in a hope of maintaining some proximity to the eventual winner.

Fuck moderation.

Right after BillyRibs Nov 2013 #1
When it became co-opted by those on the right cali Nov 2013 #2
Wow, third thread in a row on how great moderates are, quinnox Nov 2013 #3
I'd call it a trilogy Pretzel_Warrior Nov 2013 #4
which implicity criticizes those "crazy and extreme" progressives/libs quinnox Nov 2013 #5
not really. it more talks about approaches to getting things done Pretzel_Warrior Nov 2013 #6
What about the national dem party isn't moderate? cali Nov 2013 #7
for the most part, the national Dem party is moderate. which is why they suffer blistering attacks Pretzel_Warrior Nov 2013 #10
Don't promote liberal/progressive ideas. It's not moderate enough. cali Nov 2013 #8
Yep, on the same wavelength as you are regarding this new "moderates are great!" campaign quinnox Nov 2013 #9
I can promote single payer and at the same time realize treestar Nov 2013 #34
You're conflating "defeatist" with moderate. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #43
I consider myself a moderate Dem, did that mean I voted for Bush when I thought he'd win? No! moriah Nov 2013 #49
There's no use playing a game that there are no Republicans treestar Nov 2013 #57
Kansas would elect more democrats if there were some outspoken liberals to move the goal posts. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #63
When Republican became a dirty word. Orsino Nov 2013 #11
The problem is with the definition.. sendero Nov 2013 #12
No offense sendero, but one can not walk new paths with steps already tried. Only old beaten Bluenorthwest Nov 2013 #23
Well I don't disagree with you.. sendero Nov 2013 #25
See but those wearing Moderate Centrist tee shirts attacked those seeking equality and choice Bluenorthwest Nov 2013 #27
I consider these people.. sendero Nov 2013 #39
No true Scotsman? Bluenorthwest Nov 2013 #48
Here is an example from a DUer in the past... Bluenorthwest Nov 2013 #32
Very well said. n/t lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #44
When "Centrists" used it for cover for ideological corporatisim and when moderates tolerated such. TheKentuckian Nov 2013 #13
Moderate and Centrist has ALWAYS been a dirty word in my book Morphia Nov 2013 #14
Welcome to DU Morphia Ichingcarpenter Nov 2013 #16
AGREE! n/t HangOnKids Nov 2013 #17
welcome to DU gopiscrap Nov 2013 #29
It's still plain fact that they are in Congress because they were elected treestar Nov 2013 #33
...by less than half the eligible voters leftstreet Nov 2013 #51
People who don't vote are obviously treestar Nov 2013 #56
+1 leftstreet Nov 2013 #54
Another sick Orwellian corruption of a word. woo me with science Nov 2013 #15
moderates and centrist broke everything -- then they piss and moan that progressives xchrom Nov 2013 #18
They will become even more dangerous when the Republicans who fliped to Democrats Morphia Nov 2013 #19
Republicans? treestar Nov 2013 #59
I'm going to cut right to quoting the Bible because Centrists always like that. Bluenorthwest Nov 2013 #20
and here endeth the lesson xchrom Nov 2013 #21
Moderates love to post about religion in GD but they never have an answer for a quote from their own Bluenorthwest Nov 2013 #24
Really, CNN? Maybe it was around the same time you started reducing every issue tanyev Nov 2013 #22
Center left. grahamhgreen Nov 2013 #26
Good or Bad! Shankapotomus Nov 2013 #28
The center is defined by people's opinions treestar Nov 2013 #30
If 'that's just a fact' you should be able to easily and fully support your assertion with stats and Bluenorthwest Nov 2013 #38
The center is defined by OTHER PEOPLE'S opinions. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #42
If one is a member of the Tea Party treestar Nov 2013 #55
Silly? If it shapes opinion, and moves the dialog further right, then it's hard to say it's silly. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #61
When you care, you get ambition treestar Nov 2013 #64
... and cease being a moderate. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #65
Well, the vocal bunch sure have spoken up! Pretzel_Warrior Nov 2013 #45
The 'center' is defined as 'status quo' n/t leftstreet Nov 2013 #52
When? 99Forever Nov 2013 #31
In our times a "moderate" is a Democrat that answers to Wall Street DefenseLawyer Nov 2013 #35
How may times have dems voted for tax cuts, wars, and benefit cuts VS hollowdweller Nov 2013 #36
The majority of Americans believe what everyone repeats daily on TV: DireStrike Nov 2013 #37
Pretty simple answer to that: 1994 JHB Nov 2013 #40
Because for the last 50 years liberals and centrists have fetishized moderation. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2013 #41
Moderate does NOT mean Centrist rock Nov 2013 #46
when it was adopted by the likes of Joe Lieberman or Evan Bayh to promote their right-wing extremist Douglas Carpenter Nov 2013 #47
When moderate Democrats voted Reagan into office enmasse, allowing corporations to seize Zorra Nov 2013 #50
Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice. Thomas Paine Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2013 #53
Well some people are moderates because that is what will get elected in their district. hrmjustin Nov 2013 #58
Look in the mirror. nt bemildred Nov 2013 #60
To Me... The Question Is... "What The Hell Is A Moderate ???" WillyT Nov 2013 #62
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