Reply #26: I completely disagree with the last point posted. [View All]

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

The very idea that there is a "center" marginalizes progressives, and sees them as extremists, when they simply share fundamental American values. The term "center" suggests there is a "mainstream" where most people are and that there is a single set of views held by that mainstream. That is false...

First of all, if it marginalizes progressives, it equally marginalizes conservatives, although both sides seem to demonize the centrists, so it all balances out in the end.

Secondly, progressives and conservatives are polar opposites in ideology, which means there must be a spectrum of some variety, even if it only consists of two points with no fractions thereof in between. There would be no meaning attached to either word if that were not true. Therefore, by definition, progressives and conservatives must be extremists, unless you allow for the idea that there are those further left and right of them, respectively, which indicates that a larger spectrum must exist. If said spectrum exists, there must be a middle ground. Even if the spectrum is not linear, you would have to argue that there's essentially a swirling vortex in between the two ideological sets.

Frankly, the whole thing is an utterly useless argument unless you really enjoy debating semantics. The fact of the matter is that at the end of the day, perception always equals reality in politics, and the perception is that there is a center. Case closed.