…they hadn’t envisioned a government that has become so completely involved in our lives.

Nor, I doubt, that they would have ever envisioned it as such.

~EdT.

The debate about moderates and/or centrists — and what one is, exactly — comes up a lot at The Moderate Voice. I wouldn’t describe myself as a centrist, for instance, but I try very hard to understand the other point of view, which sometimes tends to moderate my thinking and reactions.

In our oppositional political system, we get moderate results with divided or alternating governments, not by putting moderates in charge.

I agree with that statement in an historical context, and it’s worked well in times past. I’d further agree that the recent one-party in control has been absolutely disastrous.

I don’t think, though, that the current level of opposition is what the Founders had in mind — or if they did, then it’s because they hadn’t envisioned a government that has become so completely involved in our lives.

It appears to me that one part of the reason for the new climate, is that not only is the senate divided very close by party this session, but it has been for several elections now. Most of the 90’s through 08 will be marked by the majority party having barely enough people to just pass something and move on. If there were greater numbers in the majority, it would be much harder for the minority party to have any sway. And when the next election keeps looking like it could go either way, then that keeps everyone distracted more than if it was going to obviously be this or that.

Another issue to complicate this divide, is that I think some of the things that need action are things that have just been pushed off for many sessions and now its clear that we can’t just keep pushing them off. Social Security, immigration reform, Louisiana’s coastline, and the deficit are not new issues to the people elected in 2006.

Furthermore, most of Broder’s so-called moderates, like Lieberman, are actually quite radical on various issues. Being a warmonger and also pro-union does not make him a moderate.

Broder and his fake centrism are the problems in Washington. Active political disagreement and opposition is the solution.

Yes, I was surprised by that too. OTOH, it indicates how far out of control things have really become.

Even with that, though, I suspect there are too many scores to settle inside the Beltway for this type of thing to take hold just yet. Although, it is probably the only way we are going to actually get anything done…

~EdT.