Independent Moderates

We are in the middle of the political season.  The beginning starts one minute after the last National election and ends the day voting takes place.  This is not healthy for us as a country for a wide variety of reasons. 

Before going farther, in the interests of full disclosure, I am an independent moderate.  Never have belonged to a political party, never will.  

Independent moderates are actually the largest political group.  A recent Gallop poll found about 42% of the population identified with being an Independent Moderate with 30% identified as Republican and 27% Democrat. There is also research that many Independent Moderates lean towards one political party or the other. 

When I owned my firm I often found clients assumed I belonged to one party or the other without ever asking me what I think.  Over the years, I remember friends calling me a "right-wing conservative or a left-wing liberal" depending on if they agreed with them or not.  I often thought it was time to get new friends.  

The reality for both political parties is Independent Moderates will control this and almost every National Election going forward. The bases of both parties will either vote for their candidate or not vote at all.  Some states are blue, others are red, but the so-called "swing" states will go one way or the other based on how the Independent Moderates vote.  

Not sure if anyone is interested, but over the next few months I am going to post blogs on issues that are important to me.  Today, however, I am going to provide some suggestions for members of one Party or the other who want me and other Independents to support their Party.

• Never tell me you get news, information or analysis from a cable political shows or listen to talk radio.  I never watch or listen to them.   I do understand they can be a source of entertainment, but they are not a source of reliable information or analysis.
• Do not blame a specific politician or political party for problems.  Rather, tell me what you are for or support and provide sources of independent analysis which I can check to obtain more information.
• Avoid broad generalizations.  That tells me you have neither thought about or done research on a specific issue.
• Finally, understand thoughtful intelligent people can disagree without being disagreeable.  Individuals who yell and/or use verbal personal critical attacks about those with whom they disagree are neither thoughtful or intelligent and there is no point in spending time with them.  This includes watching them on cable TV or listening to them on the radio.

More later.