SWA2

Reflection on Seeking Balance in an Either or World by Kathleen Parker
Ms. Parker wrote what I believe to be an incredibly profound and incredibly astute essay, which if nothing else, voices my political beliefs perfectly. When I was reading Ms. Parker’s essay, it was was almost a sense of déjà vu. I could feel my rising frustration with people who claim that uhh being moderate is hypocritical or even yellow-bellied. I firmly believe that picking and choosing your beliefs by issues is infinitely more honest and daring than just choosing a political party and following whatever they say you should follow.
The abortion segment of Ms. Parker’s essay was very interesting to me, as it was a notion that I was, to this point, unfamiliar with. I had always seen abortion as a black or white, legal or illegal issue, not a ‘legal but discouraged’ situation. Ms. Parker really opened my eyes to the fact that we could have something legal, and still discourage, or at least educate against it. If we could place more emphasis on safe sex education and absenense, then we can lower the amount of abortions necessary. Legalizing abortion would satisfy those “what if she was raped?” or “what if the condom broke?” questions. This is just one way to take a very moderate approach to a question that is traditionally very black and white.
I also love the reference to John P. Avlon’s thoughts that being “on the fence” is the most patriotic thing we can do. Cutting everything down to the skin and bones, liberals want to change things in the constitution easily and as soon as it is deemed necessary. Conservatives, however, want to keep everything in the constitution just the way it is. Well I must say, since I first learned what the constitution was in second grade, I was taught that the American government was, and still is, so powerful because it was founded on a “living document.” This means that the constitution can be changed to fit the times, while still maintaining its identity entirely. That sounds pretty fifty-fifty to me.
So as I said, reading this essay felt like deja vu. I felt the same before I read it as a do now, I was just seeking that reinforcement to my beliefs. I guess when it comes down to it, Matt Miller was right. Persuasion just may be dead.