Moderates, stand up and let your voices be heard

To the editor:

It was said recently by a well-known journalist that there is no middle of the road in American politics — only the extreme right and extreme left. Therefore, there is no hope to solving our political deadlock, no solution to the deficit or the budget crisis.

Pundits say that even the 2012 election will not solve these issues. Well, I disagree. I think the majority of the population holds a moderate viewpoint.

This majority, in which I include myself, believes that the government should not work for one extreme view. Moderates believe the far right should not tell us how to live, who we should marry or what religion we should follow; nor do we support those on the far left who want government to take care of all society’s needs. We do not want people to die on the hospital gurney because they do not have health insurance, nor should welfare become the accepted lifestyle.

This country is facing a major financial crisis that could ultimately bring us to the situation of Greece. The crisis continues because of extremist thinking, which is preventing a compromise solution. Our politicians seem to think that they should serve those viewpoints because those are the people who make the most noise.

That needs to change.

So, if you believe the debt crisis can be solved by negotiation and compromise, that both options of revenue and expense should be on the table, shout it out. Make your voice heard. Stand up and speak your beliefs. Don’t be intimidated into silence by the vocal extremes.

Patricia Fisher

Wasilla