This introductory passage is the opening salvo, in my own personal war on political partisanship and monopolization of the political system by the far-left and the far-right. For the most part this is a political blog, however I will cover many other topics relevant to Main Street America, without necessarily politicising them.
The title I have chosen for my blog is The Moderate Statesman, and there is an obvious meaning behind the choice. I chose the title because this blog will represent Main Street America's views (and those I also consider common sense), versus the party line (hence Moderate). With that said, I am not a political or government expert (Thank God). Therefore the choice of Statesman in the title might seem odd, until you consider Merriam-Webster's second definition of the word: "one who exercises political leadership wisely and without narrow partisanship".
And now the purpose and passion of this blog comes into focus. You don't have to be a trained expert to be a leader. In fact, partisan politics is the direct opposite of leadership...it's follow-ship. Following and governing and speaking the party line.
This blogger is not beholden to any party line, he will tell it like it is, from Main Street America's perspective, while provoking thought and conversation around today's relevant topics. I hope you'll read and participate often.
thank you Tony. I am looking forward to your words of wisdom!
ReplyDeleteI will enjoy this blog if it is truly non partisan and shares ideas that are good for the country and not for any political party. But to start off, I will comment on your first sentence where you said the political process is monopolized by the far left and far right. I see plenty of extreme right wingers. Heck, they have their own "party" (TEA) and their own network. But far left? Who can you say is FAR left? What we have is the far right and the IMPOTENT left. The left is in charge, but you'd never know it from their actions. They lay down and die whenever they are even slightly challenged. They seem to want to work for the people, but they need to grow a pair before they can get anything done.
ReplyDeleteAnd money; money if running our political system right now. The way things stand the republicans are completely owned by the special interests, the democrats are mostly owned by the special interests, and the remaining are wimps. Two exceptions; Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Alan Grayson. We need more leaders like these.
Roger Leonardis
Roger, Thank you for your comment, which I just noticed.
ReplyDeletemy blog is ABSOLUTELY meant to be a fair exchange of ideas. I have my own opinions, which I see as starting points for discussion. I encourage debate and counter-opinions provided they are constructive and not just spewing partisan venom, if you know what I mean.
To Anwswer your question, I consider Nancy Pelosi as far-left. I also consider Obama's health-care bill as left-wing piece of Legislation. He ran as a moderate, but he's govenerning from the left, from what I've seen thus far.
I think our veiws are very similar. I am a right-leaning moderate who believes in a strong national defense, and capitalist economy and doesn't agree with religious and cultural devide in this country.
Obama governing from the left? No, he's governing from the right! I wish he'd be more liberal. Health care is left wing? No, it wasn't left wing enough. And it takes too long for the most important changes to take place. Tell me what is left wing about protecting the health of your citizens, which EVERY other 1st world country does except us. Are they ALL wrong and WE'RE right?
ReplyDeleteI too believe in a strong military & a capitalist economy and separation of church and state. However, the military industrial complex (the same one Eisenhower warned us about 49 years ago) is too powerful. We spend 40% of our GDP on military. We spend what the next 14 countries combined spend. That is insane.
As far as capitalism, I wonder if we have any anymore. The rich and powerful and starting to control EVERYTHING and change the rules to benefit just them. Teddy Roosevelt (a republican) said that when the divide between the haves and the have-nots becomes too wide, you lose your democracy. That is where we are going right now.
Is President Obama governing from the left? Sure he is; when compared to the President Bush Administration. However, he is not governing or even strongly advocating positions that find their home in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. He is a moderate; may be a bit left-leaning but that is to be expected. The last several years we have been governed from the right leaning faction of the Republican Party (with some moderation) so a moderate even conservative Democratic President/Congress will appear liberal by comparison.
ReplyDelete