In case you haven’t noticed from my columns, I’m a moderate to most of you.

What does that mean? It means I can see the strengths and weaknesses of both sides of the political spectrum. That’s an advantage because I’m not tied to belief systems that are as dogmatic as any religion. Those who reside on the left and the right believe they are right and everyone else is wrong.

Of course, as a moderate I also believe I’m right. So, what makes a moderate different?

Moderates can admit they might be wrong. Moderates are able to listen to an argument they don’t agree with. Moderates actually move away from their information silos and seek out opposing positions to see an issue from someone else’s perspective. Moderates see human nature as generally reasonable and good, but also capable of great evil and stupidity.

Here’s my take on the strengths and weaknesses of progressives and conservatives:

The progressive position is that the poor and disadvantaged should be taken care of by the government/society. Progressives see all humans as having value, even those whom society looks down on and views as inferior and evil. In short, progressives exhibit the qualities of empathy and compassion.

Progressives tend to operate from the belief that human beings are capable of learning and growing. Human nature can evolve to higher states. Thomas Jefferson’s statement in the Declaration of Independence epitomizes the progressive position: “All men [women, races, sexual orientations] are created equal.”

Progressives are very empathetic and tolerant except when it comes to conservatives and their ideas. Then progressives become very intolerant, viewing conservatives as uncaring and dogmatic, if not completely stupid. Conservatives, in their view, are out of date. They hold values that are no longer in fashion. Society and culture have passed conservatives by. Conservatives are often racist, rigid, and narrowly religious.

Conservatives argue that human nature is unchangeable and tends toward evil unless there are strong guardrails to keep the undisciplined and evil in check. Conservatives argue that, given the chance, progressive government would put in place a lot of rules and regulations that take away the freedom to act. Also often attributed to Jefferson are two variations of this same theme: “The best government is that which governs least”, and “That government is best which governs least, because its people discipline themselves.”

Society should benefit those who have pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and made something of themselves by hard work, self-discipline, and skill. There are some people who shouldn’t vote or have a say because they’re either too stupid or ignorant to be listened to. The nation is better off by keeping these people from any decision-making.

Conservatives agree with progressives in that they look to the past for wisdom and understanding. Anything that has survived for thousands of years must have value. Ideologies that are modern have not been tested. Time will prove what is superior, not some progressive’s idealistic and unrealistic beliefs.

Based on these premises, support for public education, and big government to protect the weak from the strong and powerful are progressive goals. Conservatives, instead, reject these values because they coddle the poor and take away freedom from the successful. Government welfare only enables the human tendency to become lazy and to game the system, forcing hard-working people to pay for the bad behavior of the poor.

Moderates see that both points of view have some validity and some errors. Moderates understand that human nature is capable of great good and also great evil. It isn’t binary, it’s both. Moderates understand that both sides of the political spectrum tend toward dogmatism, where the actual moderate “Goldilocks Zone” is found in being able to walk between the extremes. Fortunately for us all, most American voters are moderate conservatives.

Both the left and the right get angry when someone challenges their dogma. There is a danger to being in the middle, though, because as my college friend used to say, “Those who walk down the middle of the road often get hit by traffic going in both directions.”

I created an adage after leaving the cult I once belonged to as a way to stay in the middle: “The more dogmatic I become, the more insecure are my beliefs.” You might consider this adage when you share your political and religious views with others. Doing so will remind you to be humble.