Center Volume? The Balance of Reason? That ringing true - voice - in the middle.

[Sparky Kronkite]

Center Volume.

The Voice In the Middle.

The Balance of Reason.

Tell me - Where is it?

Hey, you've got your, "loud folks on the left, out there”. All over the place – right?

And you've got your, “loud folks on the right.” And most often – they seem louder than the left to me. But that may just be me.

They, both the loudster’s on the left and the right - they sure do, “make for good, interesting news," don't they?

Hey, they must - they're on the news all the time. Right?

But surely there must be, "some," vocal proponents for, "the middle." And if you think about it - there must be, mathematically speaking - a majority - in the middle. No?

Well. Where the hell are they?

Are they - too bland - to be good/interesting/sellable news?

Or - are they, "just not vocal enough?"

And more importantly – if, "some of us middle ground folks (yes, I consider myself one)" - became more vocal - would we then not be perceived as, "in the center anymore?"

I mean – most middle ground people – are calm, they’re watchers, observers – right? They kind of let the radicals fight it out – and watch’em destroy each other. No?

Would our (the middle of the road folks) loud mouths, simply by getting louder - become more obnoxious, even “most” obnoxious - and then, that would - "water down" - our already fluid opinions?

I am a proponent of a LOUDER voiced – center. I would hope rationale would drown out all the idiots. Of which there are many on both sides.

The centered people…….

Where are they? Where are we?

Where is the voice of reason?

 

[KillerMuffin]

They're called the vast Silent Majority for a reason Sparky. They have nothing to say and have no contribution to our system of government beyond bitching about the persons elected and paying their taxes.

In 1998, 62.1 percent of persons old enough to vote were registered. Only 41.9 percent of persons old enough to vote actually voted in the 1998 congressional elections. (http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/voting.html Educated estimates have put voter turnout in 2000 at around 38%, but I can't remember where I heard that.

There are about 250,000,000 people in this country. Lop off the 50,000,000 to account for persons either too young, to infirm, or have had their rights severed, you have about 200,000,000 voting age people. Only 83,800,000 actually voted in 1998. These numbers here aren't actually accurate, but they do illustrate something very ugly.

So, to conclude, the people in the middle really don't give a flying fuck. They have no opinion on our most basic responsibility and no opinions they care to broadcast. I don't think they're getting louder, I think they're not saying anything at all, particularly when it matters the most.

 

[Merelan]

Deep breath. Okay.
I am sorry Muffin but I beg to differ. The center people, by which I assume he meant those not wildly left or right or extreme in their views are the ones who do matter.
They do give a fuck. But choose to give that fuck in a gentler, more persuasive manner. To actually go out and do rather then sit and debate. To show by their silent actions what they believe rather then jump up and spout off their beliefs, often so loudly you cannot hear them for the noise.
It is this Silent Majority that makes this world tick. Not those who cannot see the forest for the owls.

Yes, I know all about the people who don't register or even those that do and don't vote. I agree with the motion that if you don't vote you have no rights in this country. Extreme? Maybe. But if you are of age, and legally able to vote, then you should. If you don't, then don't ask me to get up in the middle of the night to rescue you, or defend you from criminals, or even to feed you. You lost the right for help and consideration when you didn't vote. Period. And yes, I know that won't ever come to be. But it is a nice thought while I quietly go out and teach high schoolers about their rights and how it is all connected to who they vote for.

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

Back at ya both.....

KM? Silent Majority? Sure, of course, know the term. Know that in fact - they must be, they really are, a majority.

But why? Why not “Vocal Majority?” Why?

Is it a prerequisite, "for all," folks who prefer looking at all sides (not just north/south, right/left - both sides) of issues - to be shy, silent and withholding?

Or do most of these people – simply, "not take sides?" Because they in fact, "don't diagnose problems from all sides.” Because they simply shy away from diagnosing problems/issues at all. They're just - social wimps?

I think yes - you are saying that the Silent Majority, as they have become defined as - are social misfits – social lurkers - people who are afraid to join it.

Does this mean that lurkers are social misfits? I think yes.

That's funny – to me this means that - the majority of all the people in our land - are misfits. Interesting.

Just as I've thought all along.

However - this does not mean - that there can't be some of us (like me) who could reinforce, "the middle," in a loud, more boisterous manner.

Where are they? Am I the only one? Sometimes I feel that I am.

And Merelan? Good point. Maybe there are those. But I believe that, "actions do speak louder than words." And that would mean that, "inaction equates to not much of a voice at all."

I know it's true - the squeaky wheel - does, nearly always - get the grease.

And I know too, it's time - for Middle America – and, "centered individuals," everywhere - too finally get some of that grease.

And the only way I see them obtaining it - is through a squeaking, vocal movement to do so. To claim what is majoritavley theirs.

Ya know - the politico's feed - they live - they breathe, off the far right and far left. It gets them headlines, it gets them TV time, and it gets them reelected - if they're constituents are majoritied with them.

Take this new rash of anti-cell phone laws - I mean - what the fuck? How stupid? But it's everywhere. Pretty soon we'll all be in trouble if we drive and dial at the same time.

But - you can still drink your coffee - change your radio station - slap your kid - pick your nose and adjust your rear view mirror.....

And all at the same time too. But - don't you dare use that cell phone.

Where is the voice of reason on this issue? I have not heard a single person speak out.

You see – I think, no I know – “reason” IS – the middle ground.

And the politicians just keep finding TV time.

 

[beckbabe]

I read an interesting article that said most Americans don't vote because they feel neither party represents them, and they don't see any difference between the candidates. Although I did vote, I can see their point.

As far as being vocal, if you want to convince people that "More guns=more safety" ( part of a vote for Bush sign I saw) you're really going to have to shout them down. "Guns can be both positive and negative, lets compromise on gun control" just doesn't have that catchy jingle sound.

Take the abortion issue, pro-lifer's have their bottled fetuses, pro choice folks have their dead back ally women...Middle of the road people don't even have bumper stickers..."honk if you think abortion is fine in some cases and not in others", still not catchy.

 

[WriterDom]

What good is a vote if the person can't read or write or have a basic idea of how government works? Or can't understand a ballot for that matter.

 

[unusuallyconfused]

I think they are the same place the "middle of the road politicians are". I am mostly conservative but liberal as well. I feel that I am a middle of the road person, but the next person might think I am a radical, sometimes it is just the individuals perspective as to what is "radical".

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

Ah ha......

Individual perceptions........

Catchy slogans.......

What good is a vote? If one can't read.

All......

Exactly what I was looking for.

You see......

I am: An intelligent, cherry picking, uber egotist - who happens to be able to read.

My intellectual ego - won't allow me to align with anyone - or any one or two or three issues that may be "common" to some sort of packaged political philosophy or idea.

Nothing is pure black or white to me. Everything, especially social issues - are complex to me. My individual perception.

Consequently - there can be no, "catchy slogan," - to voice my opinions and ideals.

For me, my thoughts on things - it's always (as you all well know) a hard sell.

But for me - again "my" perception - it's "what I believe to be fair."

AND - if I have all the, "available information" - I am rarely wrong.

For I am Uber Oz.

 

[Merelan]

Back to education aren't we?