4 ms·

Also, if you try to say neither side is right on some issue, you'll be called an "enlightened centrist" ironically. Because you know, you're supposed to pick on

• bityard 5y ago
  Off-topic story time: A few years back I had a conversation with a friend of mine. I knew we both leaned left on a lot of the same things but this particular day we started talking about politics. Turns out he was a rather devoted democrat. I eventually came around to mentioning my belief that the two-party system was the worst thing about our democracy and that both parties basically exist only to fight each other, which means rationality is by default excluded from US politics. Wow, he did not like that one bit. I'm pretty sure we would still be speaking today if I just lied and said I was a republican!
  • unethical_ban 5y ago
    Well, I wouldn't stop talking to you for thinking that - if you are a decent person with the attempt to defend your points, I wouldn't want to sever that for a single misunderstanding or disagreement. To move off-topic, it is infuriating that people think the Democratic party (and the people who vote for that party) are effectively the same in their stated policy goals as the Republican Party. I believe the two party system is awful, and I think the need for large reforms of our voting systems to something (anything) other than first-past-the-post is critical. Golly Gee, which party is advancing infrastructural changes to voting and districting for the advancement of democracy? Two party system is bad. Democratic party has its own issues of political machinery and infighting. ALSO they are objectively a hell of a lot more pro-democracy and pro-America than the Republican party.
• throwaway894345 5y ago
  It always amuses me how the prevailing criticism of moderates or centrists is always some compliment levied in a scathing tone. Those dastardly centrists, always waiting for conclusive information before jumping to conclusions!
  • kaibee 5y ago
    > Those dastardly centrists, always waiting for conclusive information before jumping to conclusions! While it is appealing to believe that moderates/centrists really did look at all available data and came to a principled conclusion from first principles, I somehow doubt that that is the case.
    • throwaway894345 5y ago
      That’s not necessary. Centrism and moderation are justified merely by a lack of evidence. E.g., I don’t know enough so it’s imprudent to make a drastic change in either direction.
      • co2benzoate 5y ago
        The moon is made of cheese, agreed?
        • throwaway894345 5y ago
          I'm either too smart or not smart enough to understand your quip.
          • co2benzoate 5y ago
            The average person does not have enough evidence to refute that the moon is not made of cheese. That does not mean one should hear out a lunarcheesist.
            • throwaway894345 5y ago
              My argument is that we shouldn’t make drastic changes without ample evidence. Your moon cheese analogy doesn’t address this at all.
              • co2benzoate 5y ago