Do any of us really fit inside these political silos?
I don’t.
I’m socially liberal. That means I believe in your right to live freely—love who you love, dress how you please, raise your family your way, worship or not worship, speak your truth, and exist in this country without fear or shame. That’s not a partisan statement—it’s an American one. Personal liberty is foundational to who we are. We don’t need government gatekeepers deciding which identities are valid or which lives deserve dignity. That’s not freedom. That’s control.
But here’s where I don’t fit the narrative: I’m also fiscally conservative. I believe in stewardship, not waste. I believe government should be lean, efficient, and effective—not bloated, performative, or perpetually in debt. If we truly value education, public safety, healthcare, and housing, then we have to be responsible enough to pay for them. Good intentions are meaningless without good execution—and execution requires fiscal discipline.
So where does that put me?
In today’s politics? Nowhere. Or at least, nowhere that fits neatly on the partisan map. And I’ve come to realize something: that’s not my problem—it’s theirs.
Because the majority of Americans don’t live on the extremes. We’re not ideologues or keyboard warriors. We’re working parents, small business owners, veterans, teachers, nurses, neighbors. We believe in hard work and a helping hand. We believe in individual freedom and community responsibility. We believe that some things are worth protecting, some things are worth changing, and most things are far more complex than what fits in a tweet.
But instead of being represented, we’re being manipulated. The political industry—a multi-billion dollar spectacle that thrives on division—wants us to pick a side. Red or blue. Left or right. Us or them. They build their power by tearing us apart.
They want us tribal. Angry. Reactive.
Because divided people are easy to control—and outraged people are easy to monetize.
So what happens?
We get stuck. Real problems go unsolved while the political class chases headlines. Cities fall apart while leaders argue over semantics. Our economy struggles while lawmakers bicker over talking points. And we, the people caught in the middle, are left wondering if anyone in power is actually serious about making this country work.
Let me say this clearly: I still believe in America. Not the brand. Not the myth. The idea. The idea that a diverse, free, principled people can govern themselves with wisdom and humility. That we can disagree without destroying each other. That we can build something greater than ourselves—not in spite of our differences, but because of them.
That requires a new kind of leadership.
Not louder. Not meaner. Better.
It requires leaders who understand that unity isn’t weakness. That compromise isn’t surrender. That liberty and responsibility are not mutually exclusive—they are mutually dependent. We must protect people’s rights and ensure their streets are safe. We must champion innovation and safeguard the public good. We must believe in the market andintervene when it fails the most vulnerable.
We have to reject this idea that everything is either/or. Because real life isn’t binary—and neither are we.
The truth is, most Americans want the same things. We want good schools, safe streets, fair laws, honest government, and a shot at something better for our kids. We want to be heard, to be respected, to live freely and responsibly. That’s not a radical vision—it’s a common one. We’ve just forgotten how to talk about it.
So maybe we stop asking whether we’re left or right and start asking a better question:
Does it work?
Does this policy improve people’s lives?
Does this plan create opportunity?
Does this decision move us forward?
If the answer is yes, I’ll support it. If the answer is no, I won’t. It really can be that simple—if we’re willing to let go of the tribalism and return to principled pragmatism.
That’s the America I believe in. One that governs with both heart and head. One that protects both rights and responsibilities. One that believes freedom isn’t just the absence of control—but the presence of opportunity.
I know I’m not alone in this. I meet people every day who feel politically homeless—but morally grounded. People who want less spectacle and more service. Less outrage and more outcomes. Less red vs. blue—and more red, white, and blue.
So let’s give ourselves permission to be complex. To hold seemingly opposing beliefs and weave them together with integrity. Let’s be the ones who refuse to fit in their boxes—because the problems we face are bigger than the labels we’re assigned.
It’s time for a new conversation.
Not about who’s right or left.
But about who’s ready to lead.
If this episode made you feel seen—if it reminded you that complexity, common sense, and conviction still matter—I’d love for you to follow or subscribe on Substack, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
I post every weekday, and I promise to keep it thoughtful, honest, and always under ten minutes.
We don't have to let the political extremes define who we are. We can choose another way—one that’s grounded in principle, driven by outcomes, and rooted in a deeper respect for one another.
I’ll be back tomorrow with more.
Until then—stand firm in your values, stay open to others, and remember: you don’t have to pick a side to take a stand.
Share this post