Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Looking Ahead in 2006

Libby Spencer has a great post over at the Detroit News on what she predicts for the coming year. Scandals in Washington, civil war in Iraq, and weather disasters make her list, but my favorite (and most hopeful) prediction is this one:
On a brighter note, I think we'll see the influence of the far fringe elements on both sides decreasing as people tire of rude, marginally factual, group-based bleating with its attendant self-perceived cleverness, (emphasis on the self-perceived), and will turn to more civilized voices to shape their thinking.

I'm hopeful this is one prediction that comes true. We have too many problems and issues that need attention but never get resolved because of the influence of these fringe elements. These groups deserve to be heard, but not over the voices of the majority.

2 comments:

mikevotes said...

We can only hope, eh?

Unfortunately, history shows that under times of group stress, fundamentalism of all types, political, religious, cultural, increases.

As the Repubs are coming under increasing stress, I would expect that a certain element will become more extreme. But, on the bright side, this will lead to moderates abandoning them.

And, hopefully, a new center can develop out of those exiles. But the right crazies may just get crazier.

Mike

Kathy said...

Mike, I think moderates are already showing signs of abandoning the crazies, and I'm hopeful this trend will begin to pick up steam.

The majority of Americans fall somewhere in the middle between the two extremes and they don't feel represented in Washington anymore. I hear more previously apolitical people starting to speak out with frustration about the fact the crazies have hijacked our government. If that frustration continues, that group could make a difference at the polls and vote out the politicians who pandered to these fringe elements - I hope.