If you live, like we do, in one of the most politically charged
cities in the world, the undeniably-rude-but-still-somehow-socially-acceptable
question is bound to arise: What are your political views? If your answer to
that is Moderate, then baby, you’re in luck. (That was weird, but I don’t take
it back).
In my time as a Young Professional (part of me just died for
saying that), I’ve worked for two organizations on the complete opposite sides
of the political spectrum. One couldn’t have been more Left and the other is so
Right it re-defines the whole concept. Yet, as a Moderate, I was able to work
happily with both groups of people and evaluate each group with an objective
eye.
Being too involved with one set of ideals blinds you from
its inherent faults. For example, neither group I’ve been involved with could
see that they were too committed to the marketing and proliferation of their
ideas, and not committed enough to actual facts and research. Both groups were
in danger of insulting the intelligence of their audiences by refusing to delve
further into research rather than just blindly believing that their party is
awesome.
Moderates have the ability to pick and choose because they
prize balance over zeal. They’re the cool kids that can talk politics with
anybody and not walk away from the conversation questioning their need for
anger management classes. They’re the conversation starters, the rational
debaters, the conversation continue…rs.
I hate to sound pretentious, but they might be the future of
America
"Are you liberal or conservative?" I hate that
question. With the fiery passion of a thousand blazing suns. Okay, that might
be a stretch, but still. I'm a person who
thinks politics are ridiculous. Everybody is out for themselves, for the money,
for arguments' sake. I'm in the middle.
Like Malcolm. As a self-proclaimed Moderate, I am subject to
jeers and smh's from both sides. Let's be real--both sides think you're a
passive-aggressive, spineless jellyfish if you're in the middle. Don't EVER say
you're a registered Independent or your life will swiftly become
"hunt" part of "witch hunt." Yeah, people will go all
seventeenth-century Salem Witch Trials on your ass. Unpleasant, to put it
lightly.
And people will try to sway you to their side. Away from the
dark side ... which is either the
middle-ground or their arch-nemesis/diabolical antithesis aka concrete opposite
rooted in controversy since we had parties known as Whigs (not wigs) and Tories
(no, not like Tory Burch apparel and accessories).
Some regions in the U.S. of A. don't really seem to give
rat's ass about your political affliation, but, when you live in the District,
it's arguably the most common first question out of each and every person's
mouth. And, if you're trying to find the buried and elusive treasure known as a
JOB, good luck being a middle-grounder. Companies and corporations and think
tanks and everyone allegedly in between REALLY DO have a right-wing or a
left-wing perspective. Non-partisan, my ass.
The fact that I work at an uber conservative company doesn't
help my being a Moderate. I can feign red-blooded zeal with the best of them,
but, truth be told, I really don't feel the need to bash the Left. Both sides
get involved with stupid shit all the time. It's called compromise, people! But
unless I get a law degree, insert myself into a world of degenerate politicians
and lobbying deviants, and choose a side of this endless tug-of-war, I am going
to remain amongst the MIDDLErs, subject to pushing and pulling from the blood
Reds and the bruise Blues.
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