Where the hell are the moderates?

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   MelissaBarrettposted 12 years ago

   You know, the people that can see BOTH sides of any particular debate (be it political or religious)?  Why is it the forums are full of loud mouthed extremists?  What about those in the middle?  Any of those around?  ....echo...
   
   
   
   
   

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      lady_love158posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Moderates are people without strong opinions or beliefs about anything. They're fence sitters.

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         MelissaBarrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Or maybe they have views on both sides of the fence and don't follow any specific political agenda or religion blindly?

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            lady_love158posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Isn't that what I said?

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               kirstenblogposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               not really, no

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                  kimberlyslyricsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  

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                  lady_love158posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  

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                     kirstenblogposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Oh you big flirt you!

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                     Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     that pretty much sums it up.

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               kimberlyslyricsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               

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            TamCorposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I would be one of those, but I don't post a lot, lol...too much arguing going on for anyone to listen to someone in the middle...
            
            And yes, ladylove, I do have strong opinions...they just don't coincide with one specific side all of the time.
            
            Glad I stopped by here before I headed out! I'll check back later, so no one thinks I'm avoiding anything, hahaha.

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               habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Exactly what I was going to say!!
               
               If you knew me, LL, you'd quickly find out that I have strong opinions, but I try to be fair and see both sides. Also, all of my opinions don't fit neatly into one category - Republican, Democrat, liberal, or conservative. I'm right of center on most - but not ALL - issues.

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         SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Or maybe they actually know how to compromise and see the 'best' from either side of the fence....

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            lady_love158posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Theres nothing good coming from the left these days. Hasn't been since JFK.

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               SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               This is the biggest 'problem' I have with the current system! There are good ideas on both sides.
               
               A very minor example. The new 'Obamacare' bill that the Rs have vowed to get rid of....stats show that 3.5% more young people are now covered for healthcare under their parents thanks to the new law....
               
               The point being that there are some good ideas on both sides - but BOTH sides dismiss each other ideas - surely the Rs could look at the law and find the good stuff.....

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                  lady_love158posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  How is that good? It made insurance more expensive for everyone and its paid for in part by cuts in medicare and additional taxes on medical devices like wheelchairs, heart defibulators and artificial joints esentially shifting the cost of care for the young and healthy onto the old and infirm.
                  
                  That's the problem with so called compassionate liberal ideas. They sound good on the surface but when you get into the details you begin to ser the evil.

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         Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         That's right.  And when you slip from the fence and get a post up your A$$ you become a Teabagger.

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            lady_love158posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Yes, but only if you fall on the RIGHT side of the fence! LOL

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   MelissaBarrettposted 12 years ago

   Ah yes... follow blindly like sheep...I see how that his helpful. 
   
   Thanks for clearing that up.

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      kirstenblogposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well sheep are cute!

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         SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Hey - I lived in Wales for 30 years - most of my Welsh born friends would totally agree with this

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            kirstenblogposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Personally, I prefer goats but I have to give credit where credit is due, and sheep, specially baby lambs are totally cute!

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               kirstenblogposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               not to mention yummy!

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   lady_love158posted 12 years ago

   

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   Home Girlposted 12 years ago

   

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   Wentworth35posted 12 years ago

   I have lately been in confusion, because of views I read online which either come from one extreme or the other.  Regarding religion, I am an atheist, who wishes he believes in God.  Whilst I hate religious bigotry and fundamentalism, I nevertheless recognise that there is a great deal of beauty in religion.  In my mind there is no conflict between the two, yet I only ever seem to read comments by religious maniacs, who believe gays should be stoned or that women should cover themselves from head to foot or else be beaten.  On the other hand, I read comments from angry atheists, who condemn all religious people as lacking intelligence and of being responsible for all moral evil in the world.
   
   I have my own views, which include the ideals of the Enlightenment, the equality of all races, creeds, religions, genders and sexualities.  I hate extremism, whether it be from the right or the left, yet feel increasingly that we are in a world which demands that people take up arms for one side or the other.  I have recently been very upset by being told to "f--k off" on the Richard Dawkins site, because I admitted that I missed my belief in God.  I have also read Richard Dawkins himslef describe a man who survived a plane crash and who thanked God for his life, as a fool.  Previously, I have had the greatest of respect for Dawkins.  But things seem to be becoming nasty.
   
   I feel that I do not wish to take up arms on either side, yet the world would seem to want it so.  However, maybe "seem" is the important word, because maybe views are concentrated online in a way that in ordinary life would not happen.

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   wildernessposted 12 years ago

   Mostly they just don't find the necessity of shouting lies and partial truths loud enough to be heard.

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   Home Girlposted 12 years ago

   In order to improve the world and yourself, you should stop hating yourself and everybody else. Sometimes, it's the hardest thing to do. And if you've managed that,the world around you will be better. If you are an atheist, religion is just a big game for you, it's not real. World is so huge, there is a space for all of us, any shape and color,we don't need to behave like a flock of angry sheep, but we often do. We forget how to be good and generous, kind and responsible for what we do. We can be that and more, and we can change the world without killing each other. Nobody is better. We are all here on this planet and we are basically want the same from life. Isn't it something?

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   kimberlyslyricsposted 12 years ago

   
   
   ???  :

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   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   Extremists will say the same thing a million times.  Moderates get bored and give up. That is why the shrill/calm ratio here is generally unfavorable.

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      TamCorposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't get bored, I get exasperated...
      
      I told lovemychris once that I gave up, though, during a back and forth with her, but only because it was like beating a dead horse--I could see that I wasn't getting anywhere with her and I was getting frutrated, lol...

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         JamaGeneeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Tammy, I've walked away from many "beating a dead horse conversations". What a boring world it would be if we all looked exactly alike, or held the same views on religion and politics.  One size DOES NOT fit all.  To believe that it should is not only unrealistic, but unproductive.
         
         Only by thinking outside the box and incorporating ideas new to us into our thought processes can real progress be made. That means using our brains as whatever higher power you believe in intended.  Sheep don't think, but most humans are born with the ability to do so IF they aren't brainwashed from birth to believe they MUST or can only do what they're told.
         
         We all inhabit this planet, and it behooves us to get along with others who don't happen to share our viewpoints and philosophies (and never will).
         
         I'm not overly religious by a long shot, but wonder how so many who claim to worship Jesus Christ and call themselves "Christians" can be so obtuse and pig-headed when it comes to letting go of a single dime to help the poor and infirm.  Or can use "bleeding heart liberal" as a four-letter word when that phrase so perfectly describes the teachings of their "Lord and Savior".
         
         In that respect, "bleeding heart liberals" are infinitely more "Christian" than those who never miss church on Sunday mornings.  It also makes me a "moderate" in the sense that I'm tolerant of the beliefs of others, make it a habit to see both sides of an issues.  It does NOT make me a fence-sitter.

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    Emile Rposted 12 years ago

    I think most people are moderates. You have an issue or two you might feel passionately enough about to be willing to engage in a heated debate. But I don't think the far right, or left claims many. They scream, trying to make people get off of some imaginary fence they hope we're on. And they like to hear themselves talk.

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