Introduction

Towards the Radical Center is a culmination of years of thought:

The name comes from Catbird Press's critical editions of Karel Capek's works. The viewpoint is that of a centrist in American terms. Fed up with partisan bickering, too smart to know that one side has a monopoly on correct positions, and too cynical to believe in politicians. I will advocate intelligent, balanced policy, at times justified by the preponderance of American opinion, at other times not.

NB:

1) The New York Times is the best paper we've got. The WSJ doesn't cover all the news by any stretch of the imagination; European newspapers are partisan rags; and the Washington Post is more thickly liberal than the Times could ever be (though it does have the best Op-Ed page).

2) My opinions are often similar to those in the Economist. I'm generally a big proponent of free markets and freer trade (unlike the Democrats).

3) At the same time, I do not ignore pressing issues (unlike the Republicans), and believe that given smart policy choices, the Government can do things right. The civil service is fixable, Congress may never be; though the failures of either do not justify inaction by the government.

4) There are a lot of threats out in the World today. I will call a spade a spade. At the same time, I'm a firm believer in American ingenuity (the cynicism hasn't killed that yet).

5) I support Israel (see the JPost link).

6) I don't like Barack Obama. He's a pol. See Ryan Lizza's article in the New Yorker.