Left alone, the human mind has a hard time reaching decisions. In a country of 290 million, complete with activists, extremists, and fringes, we have a maze of considerations and arguments to navigate in order to maintain our society.

One can take any issue and see the political poles reaching to pull our country to their extreme. Political activists seem to bleed political theories on how our country would be better off operating under their theories.

Take the recent tax cut bill, for example. Liberal Democrats very often fight for no tax relief, as this takes away from the federal resources and keeps the government from spending. If conservative Republicans were unopposed, they might pass a tax cut past the trillion mark, regardless of the federal deficit and budgetary issues. Outside of the federal political ring, Libertarians might suggest eliminating the personal income tax altogether. True Socialists might suggest doubling the current tax rate and institute hundreds of new programs that further inflate the government and make it the ruling power of our daily lives.

So what could be seen as the lesson in the midst of all this conflict? It is something most of us strive for every day — we just need to hold the government to the same standard. The answer is moderation.

A model liberal or socialist might tell you that there is not enough federal support for the “under-privileged” or “under-paid”. He or she may spout political theory demonstrating that the federal government should be the first and foremost tool for helping people, and in order to help people, the government should give cash payments to any drug addict on the street (as done presently in San Francisco) or mandate corporate reparations to blacks for what white great-great-grandfathers did to their great-great-grandfathers. And above all, the rich have a responsibility to give a great majority of their earnings to provide for the poor under all circumstances.

A model conservative might tell you that to institute a fair tax system, those that receive support from the system should be the ones to pay for it. Taxes, then, should be less progressive, and social services should be minimized.

A model libertarian might tell you that the government should not institute any laws that govern morality. He could spout 15 different political theories that suggest the federal government should legalize all mind-altering substances. He would tell you it should be your choice whether or not to introduce deadly poisons to your body, as it doesn’t harm others.

Obviously not all people that share the same political label also share the same beliefs, but there are extreme wings in both our political parties, and fringe or extremist parties are constantly attempting to gain political power.

Many theories about the role of government and the laws we should live under seem reasonable and intelligent. Humans often drift toward politicians and ideas that “sound good.” However, when these theoretical ideals are applied to real people in real situations, the end product is almost always different than predicted.

For example, I would agree with a primary libertarian theory that the government should institute laws that allow any personal freedom that does not infringe upon others. Theoretically, we should be free to use drugs, as this in itself does not hurt others. But realistically, many drug abusers take drugs, then drive, rob, or murder. The theory demands freedom in the absence of hurting others, but reality suggests that when instituted completely, this theory has the potential to destroy our society.

A principle liberal theory is summed up with the short phrase “help people.” Theoretically, the best way to help someone is to give them concrete support such as cash and jobs. But in reality, government payouts to those who make poor choices may temporarily support them economically, but payouts also promote behaviors that enable the payout. And while another theory might suggest eliminating social support systems because of this or other negative effects, in reality we are a moral people and abhor human suffering.

Some want to create policy based on theory. But in reality, the best solution is somewhere between the extremes. The answer to most of our problems isn’t found in the ideas of our politicians and philosophers — it’s found in the common sense of the average American.