Comments on: It's Great Being an Independent Moderate

By: aFrankAngle

aFrankAngle — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:27:45 +0000

Kellie,
The people you described are not limited to SoCal, as we can find them in every state. I don’t claim independents are perfect by any means. There are plenty who lean right, others left, and others who my friends calls I-INOs. But the group that I’ve described above, and like it or not, is the segment who will decide the election, and the segment that the winner will misread as they declare a mandate. Thanks for commenting.

By: Kellie Kennedy

Kellie Kennedy — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:43:58 +0000

Oh dont get me started on this subject. However, living is Southern California (native) and growing up in the conservative area of SOCAL (not radical liberal SFO) I have seen hyprocrites on both sides including independant voters. Limo/private jet riding liberals in the entertainment industry who claim to be democrat but stash and flaunt their money. They too talk out of their !@# Prime example movie star Will Smith in France recently and was embarrassed by a news reported when informed how much in personal tax he would pay for their medical plan if he lived in France, To UBER conservative Republicans who vote NO just because. As well as independant voters who voted based on race alone. I have seen it all in the GOLDEN STATE and know each every type.. I started as a young democrat, then independant …now Republican with moderate social fews. Until we fix the broken system here in USA, nothing will ever change.

By: aFrankAngle

aFrankAngle — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:02:53 +0000

John,
Very correct! If the topic interests you, see the links at the end of this post http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/on-the-gridlock/ …. and in the Interesting Reading list at http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/opinions-in-the-shorts-vol-141/ … thanks for commenting.

By: J. A. Robinson

J. A. Robinson — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:22:56 +0000

I saw 2 telling graphics on CNN about moderates in the Senate. Not too many years ago the Senate was split into about 3 equal factions: extreme left, moderates, and extreme right. THERE are NO moderates in the Senate today, which explains the extreme polarization in the country and the inability to compromise on legislation.

By: aFrankAngle

aFrankAngle — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:52:58 +0000

Touche … Interesting that I thinking of myself as non-creative.

By: composerinthegarden

composerinthegarden — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:44:45 +0000

Hmmm, from the guy who plays handbells, dances, and has a totally creative blog that uses bits and pieces from everywhere to present a considered point or give the rest of us a smile? Don’t sell yourself short, Frank

By: aFrankAngle

aFrankAngle — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:47:51 +0000

Lynn,
Thanks for the links. I would tend to think that there is something in our innate wiring that would initiate what our political leanings are going to be. From there, environment comes into play, but the wiring remains. As for as right/left brain, I’m much more logical and a thinker than a creative one … so I’m not sure that fits with me. Oh well – still interesting to ponder! Thanks for sharing!!!

By: aFrankAngle

aFrankAngle — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:34:40 +0000

Patti,
Thinking adults in Congress would be a vast improvement over lock-step partisans! Thanks for commenting and I hope all is well with you.

By: aFrankAngle

aFrankAngle — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:26:01 +0000

Hansi,
Me too, but they are working their way toward extinction. Thanks for visiting.

By: aFrankAngle

aFrankAngle — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:11:03 +0000

John,
You are a good example of a person the GOP has pushed out – but they will take your vote. Thanks for sharing.

By: aFrankAngle

aFrankAngle — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:09:33 +0000

Les,
I aim for consistency, but then again, each of us waiver from time to time. Nonetheless, because you have read enough of my posts, I’m thankful for your words. Gracefully disagreement is a great way to describe what disagreement is all about. Besides tone and respect, may I also add that there is a difference between someone telling me the disagree than telling me I’m wrong.

Oh … you open up a can of worms with guns and your editor wants you to do an abortion perspective? Great … tell him/her no problem, as long as you can do immigration and euthanasia after that! Thanks for commenting and sharing.

By: bestbathroombooks

bestbathroombooks — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:12:18 +0000

Frank! I liked reading you in the genesis of your blog career. You’ve stayed consistent, and I admire that you are open-minded. I agree with many of those points, and like to hear the argument from the other side. I opened up a sh*tstorm on NPR–if you want to get people going in the public forum, mention guns. My editor says I need to write a piece about abortion next (ha, ha).

I’m with you. I don’t hate people or assume they think something because they are Dems or Repubs. I choose my friends based on their ability to gracefully disagree with me and visa versa!

By: John Erickson

John Erickson — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:32:10 +0000

I have to admit to being a “shrinking conservative” – becoming less conservative (or at least less GOP) as time and money passes. Especially money – it was way easier being a diehard GOP member when my wallet was well padded and medical insurance was comprehensive. Little income and no insurance make John a WAY less conservative boy!

By: composerinthegarden

composerinthegarden — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:42:00 +0000

Frank, I have recently been reassessing my politics because of several brain and behavioral studies that indicate that political preference is more than it seems. Here’s one link on brain research and political leanings: http://richardbrenneman.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/are-political-differences-hardwired-in-the-brain/.

Here’s another one on Google correlative searches and what they show: http://www.npr.org/2012/01/02/144572891/google-searches-are-a-window-into-our-culture. Shocking data on food and tv show preferences related to our political stance!

Still, I own up to my own political bias but am always open to alternatives while keeping a somewhat jaundiced view of politicians and politics in general – I don’t think musicians like politics in general On the other hand, classical and jazz musicians are worlds apart in every way except musical talent!

So, I’m thinking that political leanings may be a left brain/ right brain kind of deal. If so, independent moderates may be the balanced brain of political thinking -assessing but not fearing risk while entertaining new options! Let’s hear it for true balance Life is infinitely interesting, is it not?

By: Patti Ross

Patti Ross — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:52:58 +0000

So true! If only more in politics were independent moderates. Heck, I would settle for thinking adults, but even that seems impossible at times.

By: The Blithering Idiot

The Blithering Idiot — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:25:02 +0000

Sure wish the folks in Congress were independent moderates.
Hansi

By: aFrankAngle

aFrankAngle — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:47:04 +0000

Mouse,
Welcome first-time commenter. Independents will vote, but given no overlap, many moderates will cast their vote against someone, not for. Thanks for visiting and commenting.

By: philosophermouseofthehedge

philosophermouseofthehedge — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:36:59 +0000

So true – if independents aren’t too discouraged and do vote.