I just finished this. I loved Rube and Cole and Cecy. I hear sequel.. . ? To deal with Torrent??? I am also totally in agreement with OSC's observations about the need to hold ourselves back from demonizing and screaming at each other. And I must admit, as a woman who generally leans left, it was an eye opener and very touching to look at the world from the point of view of a strong man, a military man. I feel bereft since I finished the book. Do you agree that there is a place for moderates in the US as we face it today?
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
I think the "Moderate" party is growing faster than the left or the right. People are tired of the fighting: on the news, in Washington, and in Iraq.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Yes. Join us!
Posted by Flaming Toad on a Stick (Member # 9302) on :
[/zmobie]
Posted by Qrios (Member # 5259) on :
SteveRogers Where?
Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :
Moderation shouldn't be a party. Parties shouldn't be.
Posted by Occasional (Member # 5860) on :
How can you spot a moderate? They either end up voting for a Democrat or Republican anyway, or don't vote at all. And, other than a few voices online, you almost never hear them.
Posted by Qrios (Member # 5259) on :
So what can we do in our own worlds to tone down the rhetoric? to build consensus? Do OSC fans tend to be moderate? right or left?
Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :
quote:Originally posted by Occasional: How can you spot a moderate? They either end up voting for a Democrat or Republican anyway, or don't vote at all. And, other than a few voices online, you almost never hear them.
A moderate is one who looks at all of the candidates, analyzes which among them promise what the he [the voter] believes needs to be done the most and refuses to condone what he [the voter] fears, and votes with no regard to political party or other political generalizations.
In this sense, everyone should be "moderate," that is not showing bias towards good candidates solely because or party loyalties.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
That's not a moderate. That's a good voter. A moderate is one who either a) is not extremely partisan or b) does not hold relatively extreme political positions.
Posted by Zhil (Member # 10504) on :
I agree with TomDavidson's definition of a good voter and moderate, but concerning point b:
It could be argued that, for certain issues, the "moderate" stance may not bring about the best results. If radical political action is required, then, in certain situations, being a moderate would be a bad thing.
I consider myself a moderate; I'm just playing devil's advocate here.
Posted by Qaz (Member # 10298) on :
I am not usually a moderate and I don't get why it's a term of approval (rather than just another political designation).
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
"I don't get why it's a term of approval (rather than just another political designation)."
Because it's not good to have politicians that are too partisan or radical in one direction. It alienates half the country. Moderation is much better.
Posted by Micky (Member # 10558) on :
I find it hard to vote. In the Netherlands we have a lot of parties, and most of them take a simular stand (lol, left and right if you wish, sad but true!). I just can't find a party that represents what I stand for. I wish you could vote for statements, in stead of people and parties. And not just global statements, but statements with all the "buts" answered.
Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :
I just wish there was an accurate voting guide that was put together EVERY election for EVERYTHING, including local candidates. I TRY to be an educated voter, but don't the research for it requires a ton of time and energy, which I'd be willing to spend, if I could come up with some decent results, but half the time I have a hard time finding out what the position in question even DOES, much less what the candidates stand for.
On that note though, I think that "strait ticket" voting should be illegal!!!
Anyway, wasn't this supposed to be about Empire? I started suspecting Mr. Emporer right from the beginning. That, and the fact that it left so many questions hanging were the only things I didn't like about the book. I was totally sucked in.
Posted by kacard (Member # 200) on :
The League of Women Voters runs just the kind of site you are looking for. Pretty non-partisan look at candiates in elections. You just have to look up your area. Before elections there is all kinds of info about registration and such. During an election you will get info on all the candidates. Just go to www.VOTE411.org Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
quote:League of Women Voters
Any time I see the words 'League of,' I think of the comic book, 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.'
This made for an interesting juxtaposition of images-- soccer moms with Nautilus-like mini-vans, femme-fatales in business suits, and the like.
Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :
lol.. I've seen the League of Women voters site. I use it too, but it doens't help much with the local stuff. Maybe it's a Texas thing, or a rural thin, I don't know. We have all sorts of positions like "Third Chief of Oogabooga" (not really, but that's about as much sense as half the stuff makes), it's hard to find out what the person even DOES, much less anything about the candidates. Even for more common stuff like "district judge" most of the candidates don't respond to any questions on their positions. It's just FRUSTRATING.
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