DougR,
I'm going to do my best with this.
What, for example, is the moderate's view on the federal budget?

Hmmm - you pose some interesting questions DougR.

The fed's budget really doesn't come into an area that I am able to have much of an impact on. So as a moderate, and this is a stretch as I am not so sure my assertion was correct about there being a moderate, I'd say that in moderation it is OK. There are aspects of it that I oppose (liberal or conservative?) and some of it I like. I don't like the salaries of our elected leaders - I think they get paid too much at times - but I like the budget for the Dept. of Veteran's Affairs where I receive my health care. So in summation on the first I would have all three views. Or maybe semi oppositional views?

On the defense budget?

We probably spend too much on defense. But my other hypothesis is that we don't spend it in the right places. So in the latter's sense we don't spend enough. Actually maybe enough in the right places would be better. So again I find myself stuck in all three spots.

On universal health care?

I believe that all people should have the right to a certain level of health care. But then it is like where I live. There are differing standards of care. My veterinarian is pretty good at what he does, but if you want the super duper experts you need to go about 60 miles to the Equine Center where they can eat up $1000 in a day just on testing. Then 75 miles South of me on the Indian Reservation they'd just shoot the horse. They'd shoot it not because they aren't sensitive to the animals needs - just that there aren't any veterinarians there and unless the problem is simple it is more humane to kill the animal. And the secondary aspect of shooting the animal is that one could shoot coyotes off the carcass and sell the coyote hides for enough to buy another horse.

So universal health care is in the eye of the beholder. I am betting that the doctor I see at the VA, and he is a very good doctor, would not draw the same fees as one in private practice in a large city. But then Dr. Kilfoyle, my Doc, loves the population he serves and has a heart bigger than any I know of. And he is quite skilled at getting me to do what I need to do to stay healthy. Again on all aspects of this I waffle depending on my perspective and circumstance.

After reading the above - maybe that is the definition of a moderate. One who sees the differing sides of issues and attempts to put them in a non-volotile perspective that makes sense to oneself. And, I would hope, is able to hear other's opinions and not personalize them for the most part. And here I fall back on the right of any human to take a side when it is called for from their perspective. The right to dissent or assent?

Makes me almost an extremist moderate - if there is such a thing. Quite a stimulating question you posited Doug! But from where I sit it makes sense to me *BG*

Steve