We need to clear up a misunderstanding. There are a lot of knowledgeable political writers out there arguing that the moderate movement is dead. That the "moderate majority" is a myth. They tell us that this moderate block is a vast collection of milquetoast sometime-voters who can't be herded, don't vote, and couldn't care less.

They are a little confused.

We'd like to provide a primer on what moderate means to us.

First, what are moderate ideas?

The MainStream Coalition advocates for moderate values and moderate positions: good government, responsive to the people, ethical and compassionate; strong public education, available to everyone, supported by communities and the state, with high standards, broad service, and the best teachers; and fiscal policy that is sound, balanced, and does not burden any Kansan more than another.

We call these ideas "moderate" because they represent common sense approaches and universal values that all but the most jaded of idealists can accept. They are grounded in compassion, responsibility, and fairness. These ideals are, by their nature, not extreme. They do not exclude, or gloss over difficult realities.

So, then, what is a moderate voter?

Supporting moderate ideas doesn't mean you have to be a capital-M "Moderate."

In fact, MainStream is a coalition of outspoken liberals, staunch conservatives, and yes, activist moderates, who realize that to achieve the kind change we want to see in Kansas, sometimes you have to compromise. The moderate majority is not neutral. It is left and right, liberal and conservative, forging something that hasn't been seen in a decade: thoughtful ideas for effective government.

We're not shy about our differences, but in the end our ideas are stronger because they come from our strongest beliefs. Moderate ideas have support from all sides of the political spectrum.

This is how Kansas moves forward.

A coalition is greater than the sum of its parts. The moderate movement is not a flag waving, hat-wearing convention. It is a gathering in the public commons, a working group of people, and communities, and businesses, and yes, political groups, finding a way to work together.

Funny, isn't that what government is supposed to do?

Won't you join us? We need your liberal ideas, your conservative plans, and your willingness to find middle ground.