Much has been said and written about the “mainstream moderate” or “independent” voter, but beyond the labels there’s not much substance or fleshing out these moderates’ specific views on specific issues. The labels are popular especially when criticizing Democrats, who somehow must be careful so as not to offend these “moderates” with extreme positions.
But to try to figure out what exactly the labels mean, here is a list of specific policy areas. I appreciate the feedback from everyone on what the “moderate” position is for each.
1. Voting rights. Specifically, should Congress fully reauthorize the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and expressly reinstate the pre-clearance requirements struck down in Shelby County v Holder and expand pre-clearance to the entire nation?
2. Abortion. Should Congress codify nationally the framework established by Roe v Wade?
3. Gay marriage. Should the bill currently in the Senate codifying the right to gay marriage pass as is?
4. Policing/criminal justice reform. Should Congress resurrect the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act from the last Congress?
5. Environmental protection/energy. Should the Congress override the Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v EPA, reasserting its power to delegate rulemaking authority to Federal agencies? Should the Congress increase support for smart grid, EV, and alternative energy infrastructure?
6. Immigration reform. Should the Congress resurrect the framework of the 2013 comprehensive immigration reform bill that passed the Senate by a vote of 68-32, but was not taken up in the House when Speaker John Boehner invoked the Hastert rule?
7. Firearms. Should the Congress pass universal background checks for every firearm sale/transfer, enact limits on magazine capacity for semiautomatic weapons, beef up enforcement of gun trafficking laws, and enact a nationwide red flag law?
8. Taxes. Should the Congress reform the personal and corporate income tax laws, and in what ways, specifically?
9. Education. Should the government support private schools through vouchers and expansion of charter schools, especially for-profit and online schools? Should the government support universal pre-K? Should community college be free?
