I’m a centrist. I’ve been called a liberal and a conservative; progressive and libertarian.

I appreciate you writing your piece, but I want to clarify what centrists are truly about.

Centrism is not about finding a balance; it is about doing what’s right based upon facts, evidence, and an earnest commitment for the benefit human beings. It’s really about a human approach to policy without falling into ideological traps.

And sure, some centrists say “I like this liberal idea” or “I like this conservative idea”. But it goes deeper than that.

Centrists realize that the world is not black or white but millions of shades of gray; there’s a truly humanist element at its core — we want the best for humanity but understand that some ideas are not always bulletproof.

In other words, we take a look at the idea for what the idea is in itself, apply a scientific method of reasoning and research, and develop conclusions based upon what that reasoning and research tells us. And we don’t allow our conclusions to be tainted by a “left” or “right” pull. What good does an ideological approach to universal health care do if that ideological approach will lead to catastrophe later on and give ammunition to those that insist on a “consumer-choice” model that is just as damaging? What good is fiscal discipline when it becomes so ideologically tainted to the point that basic infrastructure needs aren’t being met just because of a commitment to fulfill an ideological vision?

Like I said, I appreciate your piece, but when one applies a strict “ideological label” to themselves, they run the risk of being more about adhering to said ideology rather than applying reason and research to the problems they wish to have solved.