17 Jun Extremely Non-Extreme
My concept is to oppose all political extremes. (In fact, I toyed with calling my new podcast “Extremely Anti-Extreme,” but will go with the Minnesota Nicer “Non-Extreme” instead.) Put positively, the idea is to favor any centrist or non-partisan position over an extreme and unhelpful alternative – whether that extreme is on the left or right. To put it even more positively, I will advocate for using the best, most principle-based policies of either party to serve the people in the middle.
I want the opposite of our political now, the antithesis of the current governing state of affairs. My vision is for the converse of dysfunction. I simply hate division, polarization, and, ultimately, political violence.
And I blame it on what I consider to be extremism. Hence, the Extremely Non-Extreme podcast by Principle Based Politics will start on July 7.
Life in the Political Middle
What is extreme in politics? It is the difference between exercising free speech, and engaging in threats, intimidation, property damage, and, sadly, hideous violence like we saw in my own Minnesota district last weekend.
But extreme also is the difference between border control, and mass deportation. It is the difference between the ability of a raped teenage girl to have an abortion, and crusaders fighting for unlimited abortion until the point of birth. It is the difference between reducing government waste, and cutting entire agencies that contain any component that is “too woke.” It is the difference between exercising a constitutional pardon power to right injustices, and using the same power to free family members and political contributors. It is the difference between pro-growth tax policy, and using taxes to punish enemies, reward friends, or buy votes. It is the difference between being pro-United States, on one hand, and being pro-Republican or pro-Democrat on the other.
I believe the vast majority of Americans prefer the former in each pair of alternatives set forth immediately above.
Extreme also is reposting on social media someone else’s anti-left or anti-right diatribes and memes, or spewing pro-Trump or anti-Trump propaganda every day. Thankfully, the vast majority of people don’t make that strategic mistake (which diminishes the poster’s impact, anyway).
Yes, as Elon Musk’s recent poll indicates, a large majority of people (he says 80%) are stuck in the “middle” between the extremists of the left and the right, which unfortunately are dominating the two main political parties. If you are one of those middle people, the Extremely Non-Extreme podcast is especially for you.
Then again, if you already have been sucked into the fringes on the left or the right, you might initially be offended by the podcast’s premise, or you might disagree with some of its content, but you also just might benefit from hearing more principled, moderate, centrist, or reasonable ideas for how to run a country. Chances are, you live in an opinion and news bubble that presents politics to you from only one point of view. I aim to help you escape that bubble.
For the last four years, the Principle Based Politics blog has experienced this truth: When only one side is upset with you, you know you are wrong (and likely biased); when extremists on both sides are upset with you, then and only then are you advocating for the vast majority of Americans.
Application
You may be wondering why you should care about extremism. How does extremism affect you, and what can normal individuals do to combat it anyway? To answer these questions, let’s take ourselves back to three years ago.
If you were a Democrat or Independent at that time, you could have participated in grassroots efforts to get Joe Biden to announce his retirement at the end of his term. As a member of his own party or as a swing voter, your call for his retirement would have carried more weight than did my blog post, Joe Biden’s Final Two Years (May 3, 2022). Had President Biden and the extremists controlling his career seen a broad grassroots movement calling for his retirement, he likely would not have run again. Had the president announced his retirement plan, the Republican Party may not have nominated Donald Trump, Democrats may have come up with a stronger candidate than a last-minute Kamala Harris, and we almost certainly would not have President Trump today.
If you were a Republican or Independent in 2022, you could have supported in polls and then during the primary campaign the strongest, most principled GOP candidate. Instead, you ended up with the extreme that is Donald Trump, who (1) barely defeated Kamala Harris – a candidate I believe you think was both extreme and very weak; and (2) has struggled in his second term to accomplish many of your priorities. Right?
In addition to crucial candidate-selection considerations, Extremely Non-Extreme will focus on government policy, constitutional rights, economic policy, international relations, individual and business freedom, health care, climate, and so forth. All of these will be addressed from a viewpoint in the middle.
If you are in that middle and want to do something, start by listening to my podcast and encouraging people on your political left and right to do the same. Information on how to do that will be provided in my next blog post.
Written by Quentin R. Wittrock, founder of Principle Based Politics.
Look for his periodic blog and Extremely Non-Extreme podcast, which will explore and promote the idea of principles in politics, both as to individual elected leaders and our federal government as an institution.
Principle Based Politics does not endorse or support any particular political candidate or party.
Gary Hammer
Posted at 13:13h, 18 JuneLooking forward to the podcasts!
Jonah Heuer
Posted at 17:28h, 18 JuneMr. Wittrock, how can you say Trump “barely won” when he won by about 100 EC votes and won the popular vote for the first time in decades as a republican? It was pretty decisive.
And I don’t see what’s “extreme” about mass deportations when there are mass amounts of people here illegally.
Quentin
Posted at 17:48h, 18 JuneIf 121,000 votes had shifted in MI, PA, and WI, Trump would have lost. As to the popular vote, President Trump received 49.81% against a weak opponent and with no strong third-party candidates. That is my basis for “barely.” What is your basis for “decisive”?
DKnight
Posted at 21:33h, 18 JuneIn general, nobody or nothing should be extreme. But it is all a matter of context. If we flash back to a democratic icon–Prez Kennedy–his policy positions would be considered right wing today. He was a below average president–but much less left-wing than the current democrats–or even many of the current republicans. The nation has moved left over time, with a government heavy approach, that limits freedoms. For example, Senator Bernie Sanders used to be considered nutty–which he is–now he is given credibility. The western Europeans are inhibiting free speech–again–with big government. We must continually fight to maintain liberty–and control government. What is extreme is the leftist/marxist approach in blue cities, where socialists and anarchists run for elections and republicans are completely absent. As to the gratuitous comments about Trump in your blog about extremism, we should separate the person from the policies. Trump is extreme in the sense that he is not politically correct. He is crass and blunt. But his policy directions are generally far from extreme. It is not extreme to try to dissemble the deep/administrative state. It is not extreme to have a controlled border. It is a false narrative to call actions “extreme”, when said actions are taken to unwind prior actions that were extreme. Holding the middle ground between extremes is fine–as long as you comprehend what is actually “extreme”. Sometimes being in the middle all the time is ineffective–as everything becomes relative. Mushy moderation can lead to failure.
Quentin
Posted at 22:15h, 18 JuneTo me, extremism can involve style, tactics, morals (such as honesty), and similar conduct, in addition to policy. That is part of why I mentioned President Trump. I assume you are not making the argument that Mr. Trump is not extreme. I think that’s one of the things the MAGA movement most likes about him.
Raymond J Lynch
Posted at 00:50h, 19 JuneElon showed what the majority of Americans know that the middle of the country is silent in both media and the internet. While these people feel alone they are the people who could take back our nation to be fair to everyone. It can’t happen overnight but a third party could start to find candidates who share moderate values and slowly start electing individuals who will. Do what’s best for America and give us better choices than the 2 individuals that were available in our last presidential election.
Quentin
Posted at 01:20h, 19 JuneWell said, Ray.