This will hopefully be the last of my political posts for a while. But I figured I would complete the trifecta with a third viewpoint.

The ideological spit roast is a term I recently heard on Chris Williamson’s Modern Wisdom podcast. It refers to the situation where someone’s beliefs go counter to both sides of the political spectrum and they are attacked from either end.

Sam Harris was the first example given in the podcast, although there are many others. It’s the idea that someone can be pro-choice but also anti-gun control. Or that someone believes in lower corporate taxes but also free health care.

It’s difficult to be in such a position because you’ve lost the tribe, so to speak. The moment you take a position counter to one side or the other, you’re ostracized — cast away to fend for yourself.

Details aside, I fit into this growing crowd. My views are neither liberal nor conservative. But also conservative and liberal — depending on the issue at hand. Many of my friends, both liberal and conservative, see me as their opposite.

But I think this is a good place to be. Choose based on your personal beliefs rather than the beliefs forced upon you by a group.

Sure, some people’s beliefs align entirely with one side or the other. And that’s fine.

But if your ideals don’t fully align with your party of choice, it’s ok to step out on your own.