An American centrist party?
If Israel can do it why not America?
CNN.com - New Israeli party lays out principles - Nov 28, 2005
Given the changes in the political landscape over the past few years in the US one must wonder where the future lies. Can the recent changes in the Israeli political structure offer any clues?
Israel has been pulled from two sides for many years and Sharon’s new centrist party may provide the focal point for needed changes. Its success remains to be seen.
Yet the concept of a centrist party is intriguing. What would an American centrist party look like and what positions might it take on some of the tough issues before the American people?
Let’s look at some hot button issues and see if we can make an educated guess.
The War in Iraq.
While neither side is universal in its position the Republicans and democrats can be broken down into two rather broad categories.
The republicans adhere to a — stay the course — mantra while the democrats are focused on using the war as a cudgel to bash the republicans. Neither side is willing to set firm goals in fear of giving the other a weapon that can be used to their political detriment.
A more centrist position would be to make explicit the plan to withdraw and tie them into defined goals in terms of Iraqi performance. another way of putting this is to set clear goals for Iraqi participation in self security tasks. Stop taking towns then leaving only to return a few months later to do it all over again. This was the ultimate lesson of Vietnam don’t fight unless you plan to stay and hold what you won.
More later–