Rosy Glow - Moderation

On a recent visit to the doctor I was reminded of a word that as we get older seems to become more prevalent in our lives, moderation. Did you ever notice that things we used to do when we were younger change as we get older and we are now told to do in moderation? Regarding ones diet, the doctor reminds us not to have that extra cocktail, that nice piece of steak, or that extra sweet dessert, and then says, “Remember, everything in moderation.”  I have to admit that as I get older moderation seems to be working for me. I would like that extra martini before a nice dinner, but I pass and I really do not miss it as much as I thought I would. However, I really do miss having that extra steak and dessert but by cutting back just a bit, moderation seems to be working in keeping me healthier.

Moderation can be seen in other ways. For instance did you ever notice that as you get older you don’t drive as fast as you once did or you try to get your expenses and spending under control? These are forms of moderation.

So with Election Day coming and all the nonsense going on in Washington, that got me thinking, if moderation works here why can’t it work in politics. Let me be upfront with all of you right now. I am a registered voter but not affiliated with any political party. On some issues I tend to be conservative on others more liberal and at times depending on the issue, a bit libertarian. I watch FOX News, MSNBC, CNN, NBC and CBS network news and read the New York Times, Post and Daily News. I do this to get different slants on the issues and formulate my own opinions.

So with that said, have you ever noticed that there is really no moderation in politics? Well at least according to the media, and as I mentioned I look at all sides. If you are a Republican you are a right wing “Tea Partier” and if you are a Democrat you are a left wing “Progressive,” all the while the media continues to perpetuate these stereotypes. There is no middle ground and it seems that both parties are inflexible. Why are members of Congress ostracized by the leadership of their parties if they do not walk in lock step with the “party?”  Did you ever notice that you cannot be a Democrat or Republican unless you toe your party line?

Also recent votes on legislation all seem to be right down partisan party lines. Don’t these members of Congress have minds of their own or know how to truly represent their constituents? One side blames the other, log jams occur and nothing gets accomplished. Politics is the game of, negotiation, the power of persuasion and compromise but with the mentality of our politicians, all of this is literally impossible. Hey guys both sides are at fault and there is a simple way to resolve this, it is called moderation!

Almost 220 years ago George Washington recognized that political parties if not moderated can be a danger to the future of the country and went into great detail of this danger in his Farewell Address to the nation. Below is just one reference from his address with the It being political parties.

“It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.”

George Washington’s  Farewell Address 1796

I am not quite sure about the riot and insurrection part, but looking at today’s political squabbles George is pretty much right on with his other observations. Washington realized that moderation and controlling political parties would be necessary or the country would be constantly mired in feuds and disagreements with nothing getting accomplished. The animosity which he mentioned is so evident in today’s politics. Even then moderation was the key and it has been proven that when negotiations, persuasion and compromise are done properly, moderation is usually the result, and that equals a healthy government and progress.

So maybe all our politicians should visit their doctors and hear that one word that should become their mantra “moderation.”  If moderation were practiced in Washington maybe all the blame, name calling, animosity and lack of progress would be a thing of the past. I know moderation has made me healthier and happier and given me a new rosier outlook on life, and if it can work for me who knows what it might do for Washington. Maybe just maybe by making progress and being successful through moderation it just might give that dysfunctional crew in Washington that feeling that they are all missing and the one that Cousin Bob would call that ….. Rosy Glow.