A "moderate" Democrat who left the party and why

[detbuch]

Michael J. Hout, 22, is a junior majoring in history, English and political science at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. During the 2016 presidential campaign he participated in many Democratic activities as a leader in the College Democrats. But he recently quit the party. Here he explains his thinking.

By Michael J. Hout:

It’s generally accepted that many college campuses are bastions of liberal ideology. There’s a common perception – perhaps even a correct one — that this leads to a certain degree of indoctrination into the world of left-leaning politics. But my experience has been just the opposite.

As someone who has spent his life moving between Massachusetts and Georgia, I’ve had exposure to Republican and Democratic politics in two states that could hardly be further apart in this regard. Coming to college in Massachusetts after being engaged in Georgia Democratic politics, I expected to be well within my comfort zone in and out of the classroom. That was not to be the case.

The more I studied and partook in various political efforts, the more conservative I felt compared to my classmates. The cold shoulder that I experienced from many progressive contemporaries, due to my more moderate leanings, fueled in me a desire to explore more conservative thought.

I came to the realization that between my own long-held convictions, already reasonably conservative, and the disturbing trends I was noticing among my peers and in the party at large – namely their dramatic lurch to the left, and the increasing focus on identity politics over substance — that I was not fighting for a party that welcomed my beliefs in its increasingly shrinking tent.

When I arrived at the decision to leave the Democratic Party, however, I was no longer on the “correct” side of campus culture. I went from being a high-ranking College Democrat to someone who must obviously be racist and misogynist and bigoted. For what other reason could I possibly have to entertain conservatism?

This decision – perhaps the most difficult of my life to this early point – was made over the course of a year or more of introspection, combing through perspectives of all sides in American political discourse. It was only as the sun set on the Obama presidency that I made the announcement I never anticipated – that I would be leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent, and later, perhaps even a Republican. To some this may seem opportunistic, but I did not take this decision lightly.

My feeling of isolation originated not with the discovery of my conservative sympathies, but rather with my inherent, moderate ones. It was not enough to lead Democratic organizations, to sit on the National Council of the College Democrats of America, to help found new chapters at Amherst College – and the entire state of New Hampshire, for that matter — as the national chartering director of that organization.

No, what mattered was not loyalty to party, I found. What mattered was absolute devotion to the religion of dogmatic leftism. Many moderate Democrats just as easily could have been moderate Republicans. But these Democrats were rarely given the same opportunities or chances to succeed as their peers who were further to the left — democratic socialists or social justice warriors. Now many of those same moderates are expressing to me a desire to leave the party as well.

Here’s what I tell them: First, the Democratic Party needs moderates, so if you can stomach it, stick with the party and fight to move the conversation away from extremism and towards the center. America needs two sane options, so long as we’re in a two-party republic, with neither drifting so far away from the center that no compromise may ever be brokered.

Second, putting it plainly, you do not want to be a conservative on today’s college campus. You will likely be ostracized to some extent, assuming your institution of higher learning is the norm. You will almost certainly lose friends, face bullying and need to develop thick skin. I’ve experienced this, and I only came out as an Independent. Others I’ve spoken to have horror stories worse than mine, attacked by fellow students, treated poorly by professors and administrators, accused publicly of racism, misogyny or “unintelligence.” And we have all received threats at one point or another. All things considered, perhaps I had it pretty good as a moderate Democrat. But my personal convictions prevented me from continuing to reside in the party that it has become, let alone the one that is to come.

This of course is a great irony. The so-called party of inclusivity, that values tolerance above all else, is extremely intolerant and wildly exclusive to ways of thinking that violate its delicate myopia. I contend that diversity of opinion – both within and without parties – is healthy and integral to our system. We must not only accept it, but demand it. Thus, we must be more accepting of conservative students, and the debate that they allow us to have, just as we must accept liberal students for the same reason. No one side should be able monopolize culture and community the way the left has been able to do on campuses. I ask my more progressive counterparts to be more accepting of students to their right, who likely have very legitimate reasons for feeling the way they do. Win with ideas, not intimidation. Be open to debate, and drop the baseless insults intended to stifle it.

At the end of the day, it was my view that not only was I more conservative than liberal in a contemporary sense (although I do identify as a classical liberal), but that I could do far more good towards repairing the Democratic Party from the outside than I could from within. Perhaps that will come in the form of aiding Republican campaigns. Perhaps that will come in the form of continuing to call out abuses in the Democratic Party and its affiliates through the media. I am not sure what the future has in store for me, but I know as long as my concern for this nation and those vying to run it persists, I will continue to speak out.

I will continue these discussions on a bipartisan blog I co-founded, with friends from a variety of backgrounds, called The American Moderate, as well as through a network of affiliated, bipartisan campus organizations we will be launching. Here, you will find a staunch commitment to free speech, diversity of opinion and a rational approach to politics and discourse. If you would like to join us, I encourage you to reach out. There is much work to do to begin to make our campuses more inclusive for all, conservatives included.

[Slipknot]

there is hope for our future

[Nebe]

Just wait. Just wait until you see the floods of moderate republicans who leave the party in the next voting cycle.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[The Dad Fisherman]

Pretty Much

[Nebe]

Yup
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by Nebe

Yup
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

X2

[JohnR]

Leaders of both sides are drawing us out more to the ends... We really need someone more moderate.

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

Pretty Much

I don't think the young man in the article I posted, Michael J. Hout, was telling the extremists in the Democrat Party to shut up. It sounded to me that he was saying, as far as he could see, there was no room for moderates in the Democrat Party. Rather than telling Democrat extremists to shut up, as your insert implies, he said that they made him shut up. As a classical liberal, rather than "a liberal in the contemporary sense" he says there is no room for him in the party. He noticed that "among my peers and in the party at large – namely their dramatic lurch to the left, and the increasing focus on identity politics over substance — that I was not fighting for a party that welcomed my beliefs in its increasingly shrinking tent".

He opted to be an independent and possibly in the future a Republican.

A lot of us have noticed what Michael J. Hout has noticed. And many of us have noticed that the "moderate" Republicans had evolved in many ways into a bit lighter version of what the Democrats used to be--big government, program oriented, tax and overspending, Progressive bureaucrats. And the Dems had evolved into what Michael Hout says.

The Tea Partiers and Trumpers that stayed in the Republican Party, and which vaulted it into power, were actually a moderating influence on the direction of the Republican party at large and of the country as a whole. It was they who espoused core American values rather than the phony leftist version of "who we are" mantra into which it tries to wrap us so that their policies can appear to be loaded with "American values." It was the Tea Partiers who demanded true fiscal responsibility and return to the true American mainstream of constitutional order and the right of individuals to live, speak, and worship (or not) with the least government coercion.

Middle America was tired of overbearing government with its elitist lapdog media (including Hollywood) telling them they were in that basket of deplorables Hillary spoke of. And more and more of them began to see that the shrinking of the middle class and intractable national debt was occurring under the long reign of self-identified "moderates" who either really were not, or if they were, then "moderate" wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

Something other than the same old extremist name calling tempered with the wiser "middle" seems to be going on. At least temporarily. Fighting and anger is tiring, and folks always return to comfort--the state in which they can again be bamboozled.

[Slipknot]

Both divided sides need to snap out of it or the wrong things will happen while distracted so pay attention is what I say
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[wdmso]

yet we have POTUS at the National prayer annual Prayer Breakfast:

Trump asks people to ‘pray’ for Arnold Schwarzenegger over poor TV ratings

really

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by wdmso

yet we have POTUS at the National prayer annual Prayer Breakfast:

Trump asks people to ‘pray’ for Arnold Schwarzenegger over poor TV ratings

really

That (Trump's comment, not yours!) was absolutely pathetic. Couldn't be less presidential.

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by wdmso

yet we have POTUS at the National prayer annual Prayer Breakfast:

Trump asks people to ‘pray’ for Arnold Schwarzenegger over poor TV ratings

really

Yeah, that's really gonna divide the country.

[wdmso]

Originally Posted by detbuch

Yeah, that's really gonna divide the country.

That's really not the point but you know that all ready... Its ok we get it his behavior and comments are not an issue for you ..

How about Trump to Scale Back Dodd-Frank, Repeal Fiduciary Rule: WSJ

So far all I see is trickle down economics tactics every thing for Big Business

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by wdmso

So far all I see is trickle down economics tactics every thing for Big Business

Really? I wonder where you are looking, then.

He helped save hundreds of middle class jobs at Carrier (jobs that Obama specifically said could not be saved).

He has proposed all kinds of tax advantages to make child care more affordable for families where no one stays home during the day, and tax credits to make it easier for moms to stay home instead of having to go to work. You probably missed that press conference, because much of the mainstream media chose not to cover it. If he gets those plans through (a big 'if' at the moment, but he has shown a willingness to follow through on promises) that will help people who you probably agree need help - right?

He made a very quiet visit to welcome home the remains of the fallen navy seal. How did that help the rich and powerful.

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

He made a very quiet visit to welcome home the remains of the fallen navy seal.

Did he tweet that he went?

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by wdmso

That's really not the point but you know that all ready...

Your post which began with "yet we have POTUS at the National prayer annual Prayer Breakfast" immediately followed several posts which talked about the extreme division in our country. So it was in that context, and in the context of the thread, That I responded with "Yeah, that's really gonna divide the country."

Its ok we get it his behavior and comments are not an issue for you ..

It's an issue, but not as horrific and indicative of his ability to be POTUS as his detractors want us to believe. Some of what many consider our best Presidents have been personally worse than Trump.

How about Trump to Scale Back Dodd-Frank, Repeal Fiduciary Rule: WSJ

So far all I see is trickle down economics tactics every thing for Big Business

"Trickle down economics" was a pejorative phrase used by Democrats to denigrate Reagan's economic policies. Those policies were not strictly the flow (trickle) of money from top to bottom, rather they freed up the ability of everyone bottom on up to more easily create wealth. Overregulation of the market, such as Dodd-Frank, actually tends to give the top an even greater advantage because big business can far more easily absorb regulatory restrictions than small to middle-sized ones. In actuality, there was more mobility from bottom to top and vice versa under Reagan than in the current heavily regulated market economy. That's one of the reasons income inequality has grown more than before.

Another reason, not really discussed, is the massive influx of low wage, low skilled, and poorly educated illegal immigrants. When their much greater than before number of low wage earners and welfare dependents is added to the income gap, the gap is larger than it would be if they had not been allowed to enter and stay in the country.

Trump's immigration policies, especially if they go back to the saner ones that the U.S. had practiced in the past of seeking immigrants who could boost our economy and expertise rather than depress it, should help to lower the gap to previous conditions.

It's not all about Big Business, but making it easier for everyone, including smaller entrepreneurs to succeed.

[scottw]

Originally Posted by detbuch

Yeah, that's really gonna divide the country.

it doesn't appear to take much prodding for the left to protest, riot, break stuff and hurt people these days soooo.......

[scottw]

Originally Posted by wdmso

yet we have POTUS at the National prayer annual Prayer Breakfast:

Trump asks people to ‘pray’ for Arnold Schwarzenegger over poor TV ratings

really

he's pretty funny

isn't a prayer breakfast a violation of the separation of church and state?

[detbuch]

I actually busted out laughing when I heard that lefty Robert Reich said there were "rumors" that the Berkley protesters (aka violent rioters) were actually right wingers. Let's see . . . right wingers shutting down the speech of a right winger and pepper spraying a right winger and punching right wingers and calling right wingers racist, etc., . . . Wow, now I see why right wingers are so stupid and everything else Democrats call them. Gotta laugh at those bumbling idiotic violent right wingers. They are the real threat. They are what divides us.

As Nebe and PaulS who both also have referred to conservatives as fascist, racist, etc. said in response to TDF's right and left wing extremist insert in this thread--"yup" and "X2." Weird how the mirror reflects back those you despise.

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by detbuch

As Nebe and PaulS who both also have referred to conservatives as fascist, racist, etc. said in response to TDF's right and left wing extremist insert in this thread--"yup" and "X2." Weird how the mirror reflects back those you despise.

Now that is just not true. I never referred to anyone as a Facist.

You seem to be getting more and more angrier all the time. 1st it was the constant Liberals hate the constitution. And then you've resorted to just calling people liars and saying President Trump's lies "don't matter".

Is something going on in your life? We'll help you work through it if you want.

Face it the Right has moved much further right than the Left has moved left. How much time tell the EPA gets disbanned and what party 1st put it in?

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by PaulS

Face it the Right has moved much further right than the Left has moved left. How much time tell the EPA gets disbanned and what party 1st put it in?

That's a good one, Paul. The Dems, not long ago elected JFK, a pro-life Catholic. No way he'd get nominated today as a Democrat. Joe Lieberman was a Democrat VP pick, and a few years later, he spoke at the Republican National Convention.

After the 1960's and the turmoil around Vietnam and Watergate, the Democratic party (at the national level) embraced radicalism. San Francisco-style radicalism. And it has gone a zillion miles to the left, thanks to the likes of George Soros.

2017 may officially go down as the year that the Democratic party had a total psychotic breakdown. Look at what just happened at Berkley. I have asked this before, and I will ask it again...when was the last time there was a politically-motivated riot, which was carried out by conservatives? When?

The GOP was as banished as you can get after the 2008 election. How many riots did the Tea Party engage in?

Trump won because his message resonated with middle America. Turns out, they don't like being called bitter clingers, nor do they appreciate being called deplorable.

Look at the map of which counties in the country went red or blue. And you tell me that the Democrats haven't completely lost touch with middle America. You tell me that it's the GOP that's more extreme. Look at that map, and tell me which party is more out-of-touch.

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

The GOP was as banished as you can get after the 2008 election. How many riots did the Tea Party engage in?YOur equating anarchists with the Dems. That is who was rioting in Ca.

Trump won because his message resonated with middle America. Turns out, they don't like being called bitter clingers, nor do they appreciate being called deplorable.And Hillary said she was sorry right after that comment.

Look at the map of which counties in the country went red or blue. And you tell me that the Democrats haven't completely lost touch with middle America. You tell me that it's the GOP that's more extreme. Look at that map, and tell me which party is more out-of-touch.

So who won the popular vote? Liberals move to the cities, Cons. move to the country. If not for our election system set up, who would be Pres?

Edit - I will say the Dems. have moved to the left, but just not as much as I believe the Rep. have moved to the right. I try to vote for left leaning moderates.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by PaulS

So who won the popular vote? Liberals move to the cities, Cons. move to the country. If not for our election system set up, who would be Pres?

"YOur equating anarchists with the Dems. That is who was rioting in Ca."

Are they general kind of anarchists? Meaning, if Rachael Maddow was invited to speak, would they riot?

Paul, when your side's nominee calls people on my side deplorable, racist, homophobe, Islamophobe, Xenophobe, it emboldens these kooks.

"And Hillary said she was sorry right after that comment"

Correction. She said she was sorry after she saw the impact of that comment in her polling. That was not an off the cuff comment, it was a scripted speech. Obviously she believes it.

"So who won the popular vote?"

That's because of who my side nominated - unfortunately, we nominated an a-hole. Before the election, two-thirds of the country thought we were headed in the wrong direction. Paul, the GOP controls the Oval Office, both houses of Congress, and a large majority of state governorships and state legislatures. On Obama's watch, liberals now hold the smallest number of state & federal elected offices, since the Civil War ended. What does that tell you?

"Liberals move to the cities"

Good. They deserve the cities.

"If not for our election system set up, who would be Pres"

If my aunt had testicles, she would be my uncle. Again, look at the makeup of Congress, and of the 50 state governments. What does that tell you?

[scottw]

Originally Posted by PaulS

So who won the popular vote? irrelevant

If not for our election system set up, who would be Pres? dumb( but it did make me laugh hysterically)

Edit - I will say the Dems. have moved to the left, but just not as much as I believe the Rep. have moved to the right.

the further one moves one way the further away the other one appears...probably just perception

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by PaulS

Now that is just not true. I never referred to anyone as a Facist.

No, I don't recall you using the word fascist. I do recall the "racist, etc." stuff.

You seem to be getting more and more angrier all the time.

You keep trying to poke the bear. It's kind of pathetic.

1st it was the constant Liberals hate the constitution.

No, I said Progressives despise the Constitution. I am liberal.

And then you've resorted to just calling people liars and saying President Trump's lies "don't matter".

You exaggerate almost as much as Trump does.

Is something going on in your life? We'll help you work through it if you want.

I've got lots of things going on in my life. How about you? I'm sure there is a Progressive program out there to help you with whatever is going on in your life. I pretty much work out my own problems.

Face it the Right has moved much further right than the Left has moved left. How much time tell the EPA gets disbanned and what party 1st put it in?

What's your starting point? Which party has moved farther from the Constitution?

[PaulS]

No, I don't recall you using the word fascistThen why say it - anger?. I do recall the "racist, etc." stuff. [COLOR="red"]Correct, and always to add counterpoints to when Jim takes the worse of the left and applies it to all of the left.

You keep trying to poke the bearsee above. I actually don't start any threads.. It's kind of patheticThat was what I was thinking of your remarks lately. What was the one when you finally realized that you were 100% wrong on Trump's ban? - "Big deal" . Instead of not responding an lettting it die you need to comment like a 12 year old. \

You exaggerate almost as much as Trump doesPls show me where?

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by PaulS

No, I don't recall you using the word fascistThen why say it - anger?.

Because I was referring, if you noticed, to both you and Eben. He used the word fascist. Putting the words "fascist, racists, etc." was not meant that both of you used all of those words, but that both of you used some of those words. But, of course, I bow to your explanation. It only could have been anger. Not. I was not angry. How you got that says more about you than me.

I do recall the "racist, etc." stuff. Correct, and always to add counterpoints to when Jim takes the worse of the left and applies it to all of the left.

No doubt, everyone has a reason when they accuse others of those words. I'm sure that the "extremists" in TDF's insert all have reasons. When you put those words out there, whatever your reason, you add to the extremist cacophony/

You keep trying to poke the bearsee above. I actually don't start any threads.

By poke the bear I meant you so often fall back on the "you're angry" bit. No doubt you have some internal reason, some personal "issues" as you put it, that you keep doing that. Maybe you're just trying to be funny.

It's kind of pathetic That was what I was thinking of your remarks lately.

Thanks. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

What was the one when you finally realized that you were 100% wrong on Trump's ban? - "Big deal" . Instead of not responding an lettting it die you need to comment like a 12 year old. \

I just wanted to use your response of "big deal" to TDF. And you're right, I wanted the silly discussion to die, so I didn't elaborate on my sarcasm. Your post, if I remember, verified that the lack of clarity in the EO was resolved. It didn't prove any intent to deny green card holders entry. You picked one of many articles that tried to cast the EO in a sinister light. There were many articles, probably in the sources you don't read or search, where the decision by HLS to admit green card holders was explained despite the lack of clarity. One would think that clearing the matter up would be a relief rather than an excuse to keep battering the administration.

You exaggerate almost as much as Trump doesPls show me where?

"Do the search" as some (I think you were one of them) used to tell Jim as some kind of satisfactory answer. Probably a more sophisticated answer than a 12 year old could come up with.

[scottw]

Originally Posted by PaulS

Now that is just not true. I never referred to anyone as a Facist.

Eben likes to say "facist"...you have "racist" Tourette's....

hey Eben...please predict the score of the Super bowl so we can all scratch that off the list

[detbuch]

Originally posted by scottw:

it doesn't appear to take much prodding for the left to protest, riot, break stuff and hurt people these days soooo.......

[scottw]

pretty sure they rioted over at NYU the next day