Moderation in the Age of Visceral Democracy

Most popular thinking believes that political energy, enthusiasm, and activism is skewed towards political extremes on the Left and Right. Implicit in that statement is the belief that moderates are on the sidelines, unable to exert much influence on political debate. That might be true, but it is certainly possible that moderates aren't seeking the limelight because that's not what moderates too. To me,  people with a moderate or pragmatic mind tend to display more humility than others, and that it's not in our nature to proselytize or engage in showmanship. Moderates are out there, frustrated, to be sure, but patient and hopefully optimistic.

We are living through a period I term the Age of Visceral Politics. Dominated by emotional pleas and arguments, visceral politics also seems defined by appeals to things that those in addiction recovery often refer to ask "character defects." In this environment people are less willing to engage with  those with opposing views. Attitudes harden, tolerance ridiculed.

I am frankly pessimistic that visceral politics is leaving any time soon. Today's political discourse- limited as it is- is defined by voices on the Right and Left, voices that have openly rejected any concession with those in opposition. This is not to say that  political consensus building isn't possible, but passing reasonable, centrist legislation is at best problematic and more often illusory.

However, in terms of electoral politics, it is my belief that the more liberal and extreme views of the Left will define Democratic Party debate in this coming election cycle- both legislative and presidential. And with the GOP this cycle still firmly entrenched in that "thing" called Trumpism, if Democrats are victorious in November it will validate the Left's own visceral thinking and ensure more years of this destructive form of politics. The visceral world of politics brings out the worst in people in both attitude and willingness to compromise. 

Moderate minds in the House and Senate need to effectuate the equivalent of a third party, a voting bloc. They need to find consistent partners of the other Party and be willing to vote with them on legislation. They need to have  unified voices on policy. And finally, moderates need patience as the power struggle between the Left and Right plays out. Hopefully we'll have enough pieces to rebuild the destruction that defines this visceral political age.