Public Opinion Examined
This letter to the editor, by John Krizek, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on November 13, 2025.
After extensive research into American public opinion and electoral trends, researchers have identified critical points of consensus that illuminate the current mood of the nation.
The evidence shows that America still holds a political center, a place where most voters reside and which remains indispensable for winning future elections. When it comes to economic ideology, most favor capitalism over socialism. Yet, there is broad concern that the government has grown too large — a suspicion matched by a parallel view that corporations and the wealthy wield excessive power.
On immigration, voters reject both the harsh enforcement policies seen during the Trump era and the lax approaches that contributed to surges under the Biden administration. Instead, Americans are calling for pragmatic, balanced solutions.
With regard to policing, most support robust law enforcement while also condemning police brutality. The issue of abortion reveals that citizens strongly support access but also endorse some restrictions later in pregnancy.
There is little support for race-based affirmative action, but majority backing for class-based alternatives. Likewise, most want job protections for transgender Americans, but do not support trans girls competing in girls’ sports. Consensus also exists around the need for strong public schools, with simultaneous demand for flexibility and school choice.
Across the board, moderate candidates of either party tend to outperform their more extreme counterparts, especially in swing districts. Frustration with both major parties is widespread, with particular criticism aimed at perceptions that Democrats are too liberal or focused on cultural issues.
At its heart, moderation is an act of respect. Elected officials need not bend to every whim of public opinion, nor do they always have to reflect consensus perfectly. Sometimes, forging a new consensus is necessary. But dismissing deeply held, widely shared views as mere ignorance is a mistake. Historically, when politicians do so, voters choose an alternative — sometimes a deeply destructive one.
Today, such an alternative is no longer hypothetical. The antidote is clear: a creative, revitalized political center. It is up to our leaders to listen, adapt and make the respect for moderation the foundation of a more united future.