The Democratic Candidates

I was hoping some more centered people would run. I just think the left is going too far left. 

I consider myself self a sometimes trump, as in I can aknowledge the good stuff, but am fully aware of the bad stuff he does. 

Without diving too far into it, (I don’t share my policy opinions) my biggest gripe is hypocracy. I feel like the far left elite can talk the talk, but they never walk the walk. 

Trump is a vile, pompous, ass hat who is mega rich and a total dick.. and he totally owns that and doesn’t hide it. I think trump is easily walking into a second term at this point. 

riley540 said:

I was hoping some more centered people would run. I just think the left is going too far left. 

I consider myself self a sometimes trump, as in I can aknowledge the good stuff, but am fully aware of the bad stuff he does. 

Without diving too far into it, (I don’t share my policy opinions) my biggest gripe is hypocracy. I feel like the far left elite can talk the talk, but they never walk the walk. 

Trump is a vile, pompous, ass hat who is mega rich and a total dick.. and he totally owns that and doesn’t hide it. I think trump is easily walking into a second term at this point. 

Is there any candidate running yet you would consider more centered? Beto and Biden seem moderate to me. I think Obama was fairly moderate as President. 

benjs said:

riley540 said:

I was hoping some more centered people would run. I just think the left is going too far left. 

I consider myself self a sometimes trump, as in I can aknowledge the good stuff, but am fully aware of the bad stuff he does. 

Without diving too far into it, (I don’t share my policy opinions) my biggest gripe is hypocracy. I feel like the far left elite can talk the talk, but they never walk the walk. 

Trump is a vile, pompous, ass hat who is mega rich and a total dick.. and he totally owns that and doesn’t hide it. I think trump is easily walking into a second term at this point. 

I picture this like a game of tug-of-war.

Centrists produce a marginal pull towards which ever side (left or right) is being underrepresented at any given point in time (so long as their definition of centrist aligns with the masses' definition). They have less people pulling, because they're the silent majority (as centrism tends to be compared to vocal poles). 

On the extremes, you've got left-leaning parties and right-leaning parties. Both are constantly tracking who's winning the game, trying to tickle (or throw jello at) the other team to keep them distracted, while actively trying to recruit for their own side. Because the sides are so polarizing, the easiest way to recruit people to come to your side of the aisle, or to re-establish commitment to your side of the aisle, is to present ugliness from the other side. Instead of "we treat everyone fairly", which I feel could produce moderatism, we can easier sell with "we aren't the other side - we don't fling poop all day like them!" which expands the divide, and gives people emotional anchors to 'dig their heels into', solidifying their allegiances.

In this game of tug-of-war, what is it that would seem remotely compelling to "just play a little less", or "just play with a little more empathy for the other guy", or best of all - "fuck tug-of-war, can't we all recognize we share a common goal of the betterment of the nation"? I can't think of anything to get us there, but I hope someone does.

I agree with what you’re saying. When I look at people running for office, i really try to weigh out the pros and the cons of what everyone is offering. 

I always say we should Bannish party labels, and just narrow it down to a selection of a few people. Then the party voters would actually have to hear everyone out, and the candidates wouldn’t have to plead he alegence to a group think ideal that they may not really support. 

A lot of times, you can tell people are supporting something just because the “party” is supposed too. Very evident with the wall situatation. Minus a few. And the late term abortion legislation with the other side. 

I know deep down all these people aren’t just black and white.. there is a lot of Grey that can’t be shown due to party allegency. And sadly when people just support ideals because they are “supposed” too, I have a hard time trusting said person. And this goes for the right and left. 

Im thankful for people like Murkowski, my home state senator. Growing up we all thought she was a bit of a snake, but lately she’s been pushing back against her party a bit when she needs too. I just wish there was a bit more of this.  With Romney elected, and McCains daughter having a platform, it’s happenjng a bit more. 

Sorry for my tangent. In the end, most people vote based on a few issues they deem important. And that’s ok. It’s no secret what the big issues are. Both sides need to work to find compassion in those grounds. 

A little honesty can win win a game of tug o war, especially in this industry 😉

riley540 said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

riley540 said:

I was hoping some more centered people would run. I just think the left is going too far left. 

I consider myself self a sometimes trump, as in I can aknowledge the good stuff, but am fully aware of the bad stuff he does. 

Without diving too far into it, (I don’t share my policy opinions) my biggest gripe is hypocracy. I feel like the far left elite can talk the talk, but they never walk the walk. 

Trump is a vile, pompous, ass hat who is mega rich and a total dick.. and he totally owns that and doesn’t hide it. I think trump is easily walking into a second term at this point. 

I what sane world would "hypocrisy" we worse than voting for someone like Trump? How can someone even be a "sometimes Trump" when no one is holding a gun to the persons head and being a "never Trump" can be chosen.




 

Sometimes trump is someone who thinks trump isn’t a great guy, but can be open minded when something decent happens because of him. But it’s all subjective on what people find good and bad. 

Example - I think trying to open a line of communication with N Korea is a good thing for the world. My wife thinks it is the stupidest thing of all time. 

Other examples - opening the conversation about human trafficking, giving nasa a bit of funding, he just signed a national parks protection bill. 

And beyond the massive culture war that’s happening, the US is generally doing pretty well right now, as far as people having jobs, wage growth, ect. It could be a lot worse. 

But yes, I think most sane people can look at him as a person and want to barf. And take a critical stance against some of the policy. 

If what’s most important to you is money, then sure, the US is doing fine right now. It’s telling to see who views this as the most important marker of “doing pretty well”. 

Lerxst1992 said:

Hi! said:

riley540 said:

I was hoping some more centered people would run. I just think the left is going too far left. 

I consider myself self a sometimes trump, as in I can aknowledge the good stuff, but am fully aware of the bad stuff he does. 

Without diving too far into it, (I don’t share my policy opinions) my biggest gripe is hypocracy. I feel like the far left elite can talk the talk, but they never walk the walk. 

Trump is a vile, pompous, ass hat who is mega rich and a total dick.. and he totally owns that and doesn’t hide it. I think trump is easily walking into a second term at this point. 

Is there any candidate running yet you would consider more centered? Beto and Biden seem moderate to me. I think Obama was fairly moderate as President. 

Riley underscores the huge problem Democrats have. In a world where Hillary was painted as a lefty socialist by the right wing and echoed by the MSM, we have a problem with the accuracy of truth in the US.  

Sanders and Warren are the major true progressives in the race. That's it. In addition to Biden and Beto, Klobacher and Booker are also moderates.

Booker is a supporter of Wall Street and Big Pharma. Amy does not support Green New Deal nor Medicare-for-All nor tuition-free four year college.

2 of these 3 items already exist  for citizens of many countries.

But in a nation as wealthy as the US, we simply "can't afford it."

That's how biased "main stream media" is towards the right wing talking points.

I completely agree, and it's a point that's been made in the past by citizens of other countries. What the US views as "far left" is pretty centrist in most western democratic countries. 

mrussel1 said:

oftenreading said:

Lerxst1992 said:

Hi! said:

riley540 said:

I was hoping some more centered people would run. I just think the left is going too far left. 

I consider myself self a sometimes trump, as in I can aknowledge the good stuff, but am fully aware of the bad stuff he does. 

Without diving too far into it, (I don’t share my policy opinions) my biggest gripe is hypocracy. I feel like the far left elite can talk the talk, but they never walk the walk. 

Trump is a vile, pompous, ass hat who is mega rich and a total dick.. and he totally owns that and doesn’t hide it. I think trump is easily walking into a second term at this point. 

Is there any candidate running yet you would consider more centered? Beto and Biden seem moderate to me. I think Obama was fairly moderate as President. 

Riley underscores the huge problem Democrats have. In a world where Hillary was painted as a lefty socialist by the right wing and echoed by the MSM, we have a problem with the accuracy of truth in the US.  

Sanders and Warren are the major true progressives in the race. That's it. In addition to Biden and Beto, Klobacher and Booker are also moderates.

Booker is a supporter of Wall Street and Big Pharma. Amy does not support Green New Deal nor Medicare-for-All nor tuition-free four year college.

2 of these 3 items already exist  for citizens of many countries.

But in a nation as wealthy as the US, we simply "can't afford it."

That's how biased "main stream media" is towards the right wing talking points.

I completely agree, and it's a point that's been made in the past by citizens of other countries. What the US views as "far left" is pretty centrist in most western democratic countries. 

Yang came on TV this morning and advocated that every American should get 1,000 per month, regardless of economic condition,  etc. Is that centrist in most western democracies?

Many countries and regions are talking about UBI. It's been discussed in these pages so shouldn't be a surprise. It's been piloted in Ontario; sadly, the new conservative government of that province ended the pilot before it was complete, thus ensuring no useful data was gained, a not-surprisingly anti-science stance. Finland and the Netherlands are currently piloting UBI, while the Scottish government has committed funds for a UBI trial and are drafting the terms now. Apparently Greece, Italy and Spain are discussing basic income programs.

So even your fairly cherry-picked example isn't viewed as particularly unusual, though it's not what I was responding directly to.  

mrussel1 said:

oftenreading said:

mrussel1 said:

oftenreading said:

Lerxst1992 said:

Hi! said:

riley540 said:

I was hoping some more centered people would run. I just think the left is going too far left. 

I consider myself self a sometimes trump, as in I can aknowledge the good stuff, but am fully aware of the bad stuff he does. 

Without diving too far into it, (I don’t share my policy opinions) my biggest gripe is hypocracy. I feel like the far left elite can talk the talk, but they never walk the walk. 

Trump is a vile, pompous, ass hat who is mega rich and a total dick.. and he totally owns that and doesn’t hide it. I think trump is easily walking into a second term at this point. 

Is there any candidate running yet you would consider more centered? Beto and Biden seem moderate to me. I think Obama was fairly moderate as President. 

Riley underscores the huge problem Democrats have. In a world where Hillary was painted as a lefty socialist by the right wing and echoed by the MSM, we have a problem with the accuracy of truth in the US.  

Sanders and Warren are the major true progressives in the race. That's it. In addition to Biden and Beto, Klobacher and Booker are also moderates.

Booker is a supporter of Wall Street and Big Pharma. Amy does not support Green New Deal nor Medicare-for-All nor tuition-free four year college.

2 of these 3 items already exist  for citizens of many countries.

But in a nation as wealthy as the US, we simply "can't afford it."

That's how biased "main stream media" is towards the right wing talking points.

I completely agree, and it's a point that's been made in the past by citizens of other countries. What the US views as "far left" is pretty centrist in most western democratic countries. 

Yang came on TV this morning and advocated that every American should get 1,000 per month, regardless of economic condition,  etc. Is that centrist in most western democracies?

Many countries and regions are talking about UBI. It's been discussed in these pages so shouldn't be a surprise. It's been piloted in Ontario; sadly, the new conservative government of that province ended the pilot before it was complete, thus ensuring no useful data was gained, a not-surprisingly anti-science stance. Finland and the Netherlands are currently piloting UBI, while the Scottish government has committed funds for a UBI trial and are drafting the terms now. Apparently Greece, Italy and Spain are discussing basic income programs.

So even your fairly cherry-picked example isn't viewed as particularly unusual, though it's not what I was responding directly to.  

Fairly cherry picked? He was on TV this morning talking about it, on MSNBC.  And yet there's no evidence of it working so far.  But sure,  cherry pick. 
So you name some "far left" policies espoused by candidates that are centrist across Europe? And single payer isn't far left,  nor is Medicare for all.  Fair warning,  anything you say I will declare as cherry picked, since that's what examples are by definition. 

"Cherry picked" because it wasn't among those being discussed in the example I responded to.

And it doesn't matter what the evidence for or against UBI is so far; you were asking if it would be viewed as centrist, and I'm saying that yes, it would, in lots of places.