Okay, let’s get down to business. I feel like a person stuck in the middle of everything. If I were to use labels (and you know simply how much I adore labels), I might call myself a compassionate atheist moderate conservative. Who the hell is on my side?
The bottom line is that one of the reasons that I despise categorization and stereotyping is that I personally do not fit into those categories… but, more importantly, I also cannot choose to be part of a mainstream group if I did.
Take, for example, politics. I am very into politics and in perhaps a slightly different life, I would be much more actively involved; how knows, I may still be one day. The thing is that in today’s political enivronment, there’s not many groups that I idenifity with nor could work with. If you take the standard mantra of conservative and liberal (it pains me to enough use these words in this context), I am what you might call a social liberal and fiscal conservative. But even these descriptors are not accurate.
I do not fit in with the camp labeled as liberals. I do not believe in the wonders of government regulation, I do not believe the current welfare system is worth squat, and, for me personally, protesting is a waste of time. god damn dirty hippies.
I definitely do not belong with the camp labeled conservatives. The defensive budget is not the only budget, the executive branch can shove it, and I’m not Christian. Stupid, corrupt bigots.
What, you say? One or both of those is a bit extreme (well, we knooooow conservatives are corrupt, but liberals are not hippies!). Ah-ha! You have taken the first step to realizing that the world is not black or white and people are not liberal or conservative. There are many people who would have you believe that the country is super-polarized, but those are just the people who are getting listened to–that is, the people who are saying these things are the people who are yelling the most.
That makes me wonder if what it takes is to simply yell a bit. I dunno, but I do know a couple of things. 1) I have a voice and I use it. 2) You should, too. 3) And don’t tell me to become some third party.
They’re just a bunch of weenies.
third party!
…and you’re a weenie too.
okay now for the serious comment.
i agree that the US is not polarized, that most people dont exactly fit into either camp. which is why we use those lovely words: moderate, radical, etc.
i agree that it is not the best option to have a two party system. however, what, really, are the other options? i think that is the dilemma. there is no VIABLE third option. third party has never really taken off, no matter how many third parties seem to appear on the ballot. (can they all be called “third” parties?)
can we have someone run for office who openly admits he doesnt fit anywhere, and have that person actually WIN? maybe in the smaller sections of civil service, but no way in a higher office. or am i talking out of my ass here?
i think the two party system continues to thrive simply because most americans are under-informed. it is very simply to read through the democratic or republican agendas, figure out which one you mostly kinda agree more with, and then just vote for that party.
i myself am guilty of voting for “smaller” offices based on political party alone.
hmmm.. more to say but “the phone is ringing, oh my god”
Hm, how can I join the weenie party?
I think you just did.