SWA #2 - Response to “Seeking Balance in an Either-Or World” by Kathleen Parker

The article “Seeking Balance in an Either-Or World” by Kathleen Parker is about the growing numbers of centrists, or people with moderate views, in America. Parker points out that even though most politicians cater to the extremes, polls have shown that the number of voters who claim themselves as Independent is growing rapidly. The author also discusses her views of abortion and how she is in the middle between both sides. One poll Parker mentions, published by The Economist in 2005, “broke down voters as 39 percent Independent, 31 percent Democrat and 30 percent Republican.”
I find myself agreeing very much with Parker’s article. She also talks about how centrist are looked down upon and that they are usually “weak”. I consider myself a centrist, or Independent. In most discussions I have with my friends and peers, I find I can see where both sides are coming from. In addition to this, I find that most times I agree with certain aspects of each side. This usually helps me to be a mediator of sorts between friends. I can imagine others who find themselves with the same positions as me end up doing the same thing.
Parker points out that the majority of Independent centrists are young people like myself. I don’t agree with either side of the spectrum; the very liberal or very conservative people. Our society should learn to accept that not everyone’s beliefs are at the extremes and to accept the people in the middle. People should not be forced by society to choose one side or the other just because society does not want to deal with people who agree with both sides.