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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I consider myself a moderate these days. I hold pretty left wing values - I am anti racist, pro poor, pro reproductive rights. I worked for USAID before its destruction. But I am a moderate in that I am a pragmatist. I respect that other people disagree with me vehemently, and while I can believe they are wrong and harmful with every speck of my being…I still acknowledge their right to their opinions and to be equal participants in our democracy. And I can negotiate, discuss, and partner with them to find compromise that will give us each some of what we want, but not all. I have faith that doing things this way will result in gradual progress and stability, which I value more than having every bit of what I believe in now without compromise.[/quote]

It's much easier to have your attitude about slow progress when you aren't the person actively suffering under the status quo. I think thats what people who smugly call themselves moderates, as though they are morally andmlogically superior to everyone else, don't seem to get.

You worked for USAID. You care about poor people. But you're not too vexed if policies are enacted that leave the recipients of USAID starving, because YOU have food, and can just calmly wait for slow progress. It doesn't make you better than people who find the situation a bit more urgent. [/quote]

Did you miss the part where I worked for USAID? I’m unemployed. I may not be hungry, but I’m hardly unvexed by the current situation. People I love rely on medicaid and food stamps. People I love are trans. But yeah, I’m in my late 50’s and have watched the arc of history bend toward and away from justice, and I’m going to take a longer view while doing everything in my power to provide safety and comfort to those who are suffering because the world is still f’d up.

I do not think I am better than people who take a different approach or who push harder and faster. I think I’m more pragmatic, sure. But pragmatism isn’t some moral gold star. It takes all types to bring about change. It takes you, and it takes me. Can you drop your fighting stance for a sec, especially against people who agree with your policy positions?[/quote]
Those policies put you in the Left/progressive camp. [/quote]

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