Moderate is a 4 letter word

I used to fall in with the idea that moderates in politics were a triumph of mediocrity. That going to the middle was a fail-safe way to win elections and nothing more. Out flank your opponent on the left or right according to which party you are in to achieve the nomination and then drive straight for the center to win the general election. 

I no longer believe this.

As hard as it is to hear, both sides have valid points and, (gasp) both sides get it right on different issues. I am a moderate. It isn't because I am afraid to make a decision or have no moral compass to keep me far on one end. It is because on some issues I end up on the left and on some I end up on the right. 

With education I believe that democrats have a better idea. We need a strong centralized system of public education in this country. Giving control to local politicians and school boards does not help us. They teach what they believe to be important in their community and the children are often left with very small horizons and little competitiveness in the world at large. We compete with people from almost every country for our jobs and are quickly becoming the least qualified. We have one of the higher illiteracy rates, we go to school for fewer days. How can we ask children to compete like this.

With tax breaks for small businesses, I end up on the right. As the economy continues to react from a harsh downturn and businesses refuse to hire military personnel because they are constantly deployed, many Americans are turning to opening their own businesses. The business owner is the backbone of the American economy and needs help in fighting giants like Walmart to stay alive. That being said, the wave of tax breaks for billion dollar conglomerates and allowing the monopolization of media outlets needs to be turned.

The conventions of the past couple weeks have in no way told us what the stances are on the issues. They are meerly a rabble rousing pep rally of like minded followers, a parade to create support going into a general election that is less about the issues and more about popularity and name recognition.

Please, do not rest in listening to debates and prewritten poll tested speeches to make your decision. Research, study, question and then decide for yourself who you think is the most qualified to lead.