Our federal government has long been considered the “Beacon of Democracy” shining it’s light throughout the world, at least by we Americans. However, the rest of the world doesn’t always agree with our arrogant philosophies, or their vision of democracy isn’t quite the same as ours. That is understandable for cultures that differ from ours.

The differences in our political party ideologies has been causing disputes for centuries. In one fashion or another the differences generally boil down to clashes between the “Haves” and “Have Nots”. These differences seem to surface with vigor when the nations economy is in trouble, which happens in cycles no matter what we do.

Having been brought into this world in 1947, I have lived several decades and seen many changes. As a younger man, I didn’t pay much attention to politics or sociology. I simply worked hard, advanced through achievement and paid my taxes every year. It was a comfortable life, even when I had to adjust to the economic and political forces that have changed over the years.

Many people have done enormously better than me, and many people have not done nearly as well as me. I guess that puts me somewhere in the middle… somewhere “Amid The Extremes”.

I have seen and experienced a great deal and now, in my later years, I have some opinions that are more centrist than fringe. It seems that politics has become nothing but a body of fringe extremes; extremes that will not consider approaching the middle or compromising for the overall good of our citizens.

I believe now that our democracy is in peril due to the fringe extremes who make our laws and interfere with our individual right of “the pursuit of happiness”. On the other hand, those who believe they are “entitled to guaranteed happiness” are out of line. There are no guarantees in life and there are no free rides. You must take the initiative to pursue happiness, not have it handed to you. But we also need to show compassion to those who “really” need help.

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.

H.L. MENCKEN – author & journalist

In my life experiences, I am convinced that many citizens are uneducated in the areas that are most important, such as the economy, banking, business, education and the government. Most people are followers and will jump on any bandwagon if someone suggests it will relieve their fears or feed their greed. And this is how people get elected to office… they lie to voters and tell them only what they want to hear, in return for their vote.

The intent of AmidExtremes.com is to provide you some intellectual food for thought. Although I may skew the message to my own opinions, I’ll try to provide both extreme sides of the issues so you can make an informed opinion of your own.