Free Thinker

Moderates, centrists, and independents are less bound by the strong opinions found at the political extremes. This gives them the ability to be more flexible and free in their thinking. Once you're on the "far right" or the "far left," there is more rigidity. Ex: a man who has subscribed to the philosophies on the far right might say he's pro-guns, even if he's never owned a gun, wanted a gun, or really thought about the firearms debate. His "side" has decided his stance for him. Similarly, a woman on the "far left" might feel pressured to say she's pro-choice, even if she would never have an abortion herself. "Identifying" with the extreme ends of either political party tends to result in a pre-set prescription of beliefs that people then defend tooth and nail, even if they've never given any thought to any other perspective. Being moderate gives you the freedom to see and hear other perspectives, and choose for yourself which ones you truly believe in and stand by. 

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