The Moderate's Club

**Lemur** · 07-23-2005, 04:11

Originally Posted by kagemusha

You know second largest party of my country is named the center party.

Heh, in the U.S.A. we have two center parties. With fringe benefits, or rather beneficiaries.

It's strange here. The parties' variance in actual policy is not nearly as huge as the rhetorical divide would indicate. The reason being that both donkeys and elephants know that if they alienate the mass of moderate voters they'll be out on their ear within an election cycle. But the rhetoric and partisanship is really breathtaking.

Here's a fun factoid: Since I could never register as a Democrat or a Republican with a straight face, I'm not allowed to vote in primaries. Yes, in my state independents are barred from all primary elections. Fun, innit?

Frankly, being a moderate sucks. Listen to the fire-breathing rhetoric, the steely certitude of the extremists, and every now and then you think, "Boy, it must be fun to just grab on to a platform and let 'er rip." Wouldn't it be nice to bathe in that sea of certainties that only a fixed ideology can provide?

Oh well. Back to considering the issues one at a time. *yawn*

**kiwitt** · 07-25-2005, 01:10

Originally Posted by Lemurmania

Oh well. Back to considering the issues one at a time. *yawn*

Slow and steady wins the race, int the long run.

**Lemur** · 07-25-2005, 04:57

Originally Posted by Proletariat

I've decided being moderate and open minded is sanctimonious and counter-productive.

Absolutely brilliant.

**Proletariat** · 07-25-2005, 11:18

http://dictionary.reference.com/sear...ongue-in-cheek

**JAG** · 07-25-2005, 11:59

Sarcasm? Never!

**Lemur** · 07-25-2005, 17:41

Like I said, absolutely brilliant.

**Kagemusha** · 07-25-2005, 17:47

Originally Posted by Lemurmania

Heh, in the U.S.A. we have two center parties. With fringe benefits, or rather beneficiaries.

It's strange here. The parties' variance in actual policy is not nearly as huge as the rhetorical divide would indicate. The reason being that both donkeys and elephants know that if they alienate the mass of moderate voters they'll be out on their ear within an election cycle. But the rhetoric and partisanship is really breathtaking.

Here's a fun factoid: Since I could never register as a Democrat or a Republican with a straight face, I'm not allowed to vote in primaries. Yes, in my state independents are barred from all primary elections. Fun, innit?

Frankly, being a moderate sucks. Listen to the fire-breathing rhetoric, the steely certitude of the extremists, and every now and then you think, "Boy, it must be fun to just grab on to a platform and let 'er rip." Wouldn't it be nice to bathe in that sea of certainties that only a fixed ideology can provide?

Oh well. Back to considering the issues one at a time. *yawn*

I didnt knew you had laws of registering as an party member,before you can vote in primaries.If that would be the case here the voting percents would be pretty low.

**kiwitt** · 07-25-2005, 23:37

As the "primaries" is just to elect party candiates, I would expect party members only to be allowed to vote.

**Lemur** · 07-26-2005, 02:31

Indeed, but most states allow the general public to vote in primaries. New York State is something of an exception.

**BDC** · 07-27-2005, 23:22

A democracy which only allows two parties to ever get in just seems a bit wrong to me.

What about the American Monster Raving Loony Party eh? Who else wants a cat as the US President?

**kiwitt** · 07-27-2005, 23:43

There is a lot to be said about Multiple-Party Government, rather than two party Government. Our NZ MMP system seems to be the best.

We have 2 major parties and a few smaller parties who must get 5% or more of the general vote to get in parliament.

**Lemur** · 07-28-2005, 07:09

There has been idle talk about proportional voting in the U.S., but it hasn't gotten far. Just as soon as we're done with the metric conversion and the War on Drugs, I'm sure we'll get right on it ...