Centrist Political Concerns

I will attempt here to list the issues most centrists are concerned with. Each of these items helps define what a centrist is as well. Note their dedication to solving problems. Also note their steadfast belief in possibility. Centrists believe that logic, science and heart will solve many problems and make the world a better place in which to live.

1. Education is key to fulfilling human potential
2. Economics can be used to improve the standard of living of everyone living on the planet
3. International economics requires us to be good stewards of our resources and also to collaborate with other nations to earn the rewards of rising standards of living
4. Life-long learning is an investment in our people; this leads to adaptability to change and economic sustainability
5. Infrastructure used by all should be paid for by all; this includes citizens and companies who actually gain economic benefits from public infrastructure
6. Corporations are not legally citizens with the right to vote. They therefore do not have the right to donate funds for political campaigns; election finance reform should remove corporate funds from politics
7. Ecology focuses on the natural health of our planet and its atmosphere. Centrists believe in supporting the planet’s health and protecting it from economic manipulation
8. Common decency dictates justice for all. Civil rights are for all. Discrimination of any form debases each of us
9. Human genius will solve most problems if we let it. Care must be taken to protect us from genius run amok!
10. Lobbying is a form of education and valuable to legislators at every level. Lobbying should not include financial donations or involvement
11. Access to adequate medical care is a civil right. Models exist that deliver on this promise much less expensively than the American system. We must move toward better, more inclusive models at public expense.
12. Access to education should not be abridged by economic status. Each person should have access to the highest level of education they are capable of achieving and have interest in.
13. International peace and prosperity relies solely on the goodwill and open collaboration of all nations in the global community. The sooner we understand this and support it the sooner we will achieve lasting global peace.
14. All of life is a journey made at different paces by each person throughout their development and life story. Perfection of the global community will thus be imperfect throughout its experience but the goal is worthy of our steadfast support and effort. 

I know these may seem apparent. They are not. They force us to rethink a lot of what we believe in. Conservatives would keep much of the above free of public financial support and insist that each person invest their own effort and resources to achieving their needs and goals. Liberals would most likely take over the entire program structure and insist on public funding as well as public standards of each program. Neither of these approaches works very well. The Haves continues to Get. The Have Nots continue to Lose.  Liberals do not shine a very good light on one size fits all solutions. Besides it is enormously expensive and needs to consider alternatives that are more practical.

Ah, there’s the point of all of this – practicality.

Centrists tend to think first of problem definition; next category of importance; then speed of finding a solution. Finally, centrists consider alternative solutions for the most workable and budget friendly. Centrists will settle for temporary improvements as long as long term solutions are kept in focus for the issue. Perfection from the start is not the objective. Attention on problems and their solutions are the objective. In time better solutions will evolve if we are serious about proper management of important issues in the first place.

Centrists are inventive and caring people. They place people first and resources second. Not a bad way to live life, eh?

August 24, 2016