Actually, it's a continuous spectrum. Neither absorption or emission...

Not at all, above, in my next-to-the-last para, I allude to conservatives whose opinions differ from mine, but in degree, not in kind. I'm not just blowing smoke when I say traditional conservative values are actually human values, shared by everyone, where we differ is in how much, or how many. To just pick one example out of many possible, we may all legitimately disagree in how much government intervention in an economy is optimal, or even necessary. But I think those who believe absolutely no government intervention is needed, or for that matter, that the government must control everything, are both extremists. This seems so self-evident to me that those who dispute it I cannot help but view with suspicion.

I believe it wise to follow the middle road, moderation in all things. But I also recognize honest men may legitimally disagree where the middle actually is. The only thing I reject categorically is ideology. Human and community relations are not physics, not only are they subjective, we must work tirelessly to ensure they remain subjective.

Since I do not accept politics, or any social science for that matter, can be objectively measured or delimited, then political or social positions should be determined by what works, what we can agree or compromise on, or what has been established by precedent and custom, provided we are always ready to amend and re-evaluate our position from time to time. We must also never forget that it is human nature (not the work of the devil) than even good men generally believe what is good for them is good for everyone else. "Political principles" are an oxymoron. Politics by its very nature is determined by "the consent of the governed", to coin a phrase. Oh sure, it is obvious that freedom is better than the lack of it, that construct is built right into our language. But I reject anyone deciding for me what freedom actually is. I rely on my own conscience for that, not God, my leaders, or the founding fathers.

And no, I didn't forget "racist". Racism is now universally condemned by all sides of the political spectrum (which wasn't always the case, remember?). So you see, there has been some progress.