A Flaming Moderate & Classical Liberal Perspective

I developed this website because I was tired of both ideological extremes and their nearly identical tendencies to ignore facts, generate spin, and promote philosophical inconsistencies that say nothing and keep us, as a country, from moving forward.

Although I previously aligned with the New Democrats (& the DLC), I consider myself a "flaming moderate." Passionately committed to classical understandings of prudential statesmanship and balanced government (for explanation, see Federalist Papers 39, 46, 51, 68, 69 & 70), I believe that rigorous analysis and an adherence to facts should guide politics and policymaking. I do not hesitate to agree with Republicans when I think they are right, or call Democrats on foolhardy or reactionary positions. More generally, I am fiscally conservative and either socially liberal or libertarian. My aim is to provide a critical view of both parties and their respective spin machines, while offering centrist opinions that engage partisans in dialogue.

A Brief Biography

Lara M. Brown, Ph.D., works as an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Her research interests include national elections, presidential aspirants, congressional incumbents and political scandals. She proudly serves on the Board of Directors of The New Agenda, a "pro-woman" organization devoted to improving the lives of women and girls. She is also a regular contributor to U.S. News & World Report's "Thomas Jefferson Street" blog.

Prior to returning to academia, she worked as an education policy and public affairs consultant. Dr. Brown also served in President William J. Clinton's administration at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. In 2001, she earned her Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles.