It is popular because most of the time the word Centrist is use in the United States it is used connotatively to imply “These are the undecided people who can’t make-up their minds,” or “These are the citizens without a strong ideology;” or “These are the voters who are afraid of the policies to the extreme left and the extreme right of the political spectrum, so they engage in the practice of promoting moderation between these extremes.”
While it might be true that they are American Centrists who fit the connotations, my suspicions are that for most American Centrists it is none of the above. Actually, it is probably quite the opposite.
For example, I, like many other American Centrists, pride myself on being well informed on issues. I actively seek out the best arguments from many parties: In addition to the Democratic and Republican Parties, I seek out the arguments from the Progressive, Libertarian, Green…Parties. Additionally, I try to listen to the discussions and debates by the experts from the academic community on Public Radio, C-SPAN, … and I follow-up by reading research studies, which is easy to do through the use of internet research centers like ERIC. Many times I also listen to BBC and other foreign newscasts for the purpose of hearing the debate from the perspectives of foreign experts, which are always interesting and eye opening. I have a definite opinion on most issues, a strong ideology, and I am not afraid of the extreme ends of the spectrum. In fact, all truth be told, there are many issues in which I find myself in complete agreement with the extreme right and others in which I totally agree with the extreme left. For example, I am 100% in favor of a strong military defense that includes a well funded and modernized military (a position that is supported by the Extreme Right). At the same time I am 100 percent in favor of universal health care (a position that is supported by the Extreme Left).
What I have come to realize through these thorough investigations of issues is that the complete answers to the challenges facing our nation do not reside within one party. Instead, within each party, there are segments of the answers that should be selected for constructing the best solutions to the challenges facing our nation. This realization makes it impossible for me to commit to any party, who demands that I completely embrace their stance on issues – in spite of the fact that I am clearly aware that portions of their stance are wrong! I cannot commit to the Republican Party or Democratic Party, for I find neither party completely right or completely wrong on most issues. They are only completely un-cooperative with each other and everyone else! And their lack of cooperation, in my judgment, is the major issue!
So until Americans begin to assertively search for the truths and act in accordance with the truth, we will remain a nation of gridlock. In the mean time I will continue to encourage my fellow citizens to do their own independent research and strive to become well-informed, like us American Centrists.
By
James A. Porter
