My background - by Doug Wentz
- My political story. You can learn more about my political background by please watching Ep. 2 on my YouTube channel, but in a nutshell:
- My first speech. On August 23-24, 1978, while a registered Republican and 19-year-old junior at Cornell University, I attempted a Guiness World Record for the longest continuous political speech and spoke for 31 continuous hours on the front steps of the Pennsylvania state capitol building in Harrisburg with the topic: “Pennsylvania’s Corrupt State Government: Why Don’t You Care?”
- My second speech. 46 years later, after I changed my registration to independent, relocated to Florida and retired from a career as an attorney, I delivered a second speech. On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, just prior to the Presidential election, I returned to the steps of the Pennsylvania state capitol to reprise my anti-corruption message with the topic: "Donald Trump's January 6th Insurrection and Endless Corruption: Why Don't You Care?" I endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris for President, and Democrat Janelle Stelson for Congress over Republican Scott Perry in Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District where Perry was the incumbent. My speech was covered by capitol reporter Jan Murphy in an article in PennLive Patriot-News on September 25, 2025, entitled: "Former Pa. resident gets on his soapbox on Capitol steps to criticize Trump, Perry." I also followed-up my speech by publishing an Op-ed opinion piece with PennLive Patriot-News on September 30, 2024, entitled: "Trump and Perry are not patriots. My grandmother was."
- Next steps. Alas, the 2024 Presidential election did not turn out as I had hoped. But not to worry! I now am aiming to "Make Moderates Matter" in American politics. Stay tuned!
Goals of Make Moderates Matter
- My aim is to empower moderation in American politics. Now more than ever, Democracy needs moderates. We must reject the extremism and irresponsible rhetoric or all too many of our political leaders and find a way for the moderate voices in America to be heard. And to that effect, I have created this website and channels for "Make Moderates Matter" on YouTube, Substack and Reddit.
- Three main goals. You can learn more about my objectives by please watching Ep. 1 on my YouTube channel "How to Make Moderates Matter," but in short, I have three main goals:
- First, I will explore what it means to be a "political moderate."
- Second, I will consider how we can "make moderates matter," whether through political parties and organizations (including not only the moderate factions within the existing Democratic and Republican parties, but also moderate political parties and organizations like the Forward Party, No Labels® and the moderate parties emerging in some states like the New Jersey Moderate Party and United Kansas), or by changing the structure and mechanics of the voting process (through proportional representation, ranked choice voting, fusion voting, open primaries, independent redistricting commissions to combat gerrymandering, or a combination of the above, such as the Fair Representation Act).
- And finally, my third goal is to provide general news and updates about political moderates in America.
- I know this is easier said than done. And please understand that my website and social media channels are works in progress that will take some time to develop. I have advanced degrees in law and public policy analysis but never had a course in content creation or website building! Nevertheless, that is my goal. I encourage you to please check back to this website and/or my social media channels as I make further progress.