You speak wisdom. I too am nonconformist, independent, free to be me. Interestingly as I read it came to mind that in the original meaning of our politics, Conservatives were the conformists, and Liberals were the nonconformists. Our politics have unfortunately morphed. Those who now call them selves Conservatives are actually radicals seeking not to preserve the past but to change everything - from democracy to dictatorship, from freedom to total control by the state. Liberals, on the other hand, are as disorganized as ever, due to independent thinking, and contain the only remnants of true conservatism remain in our nation.
In viewing this poor condition, the true conservative arises in me to long for the past time when we better knew who we were in our politics. That time is past. Division reigns, and conflict rules, for now. The liberal in me looks to a future of greater unity and mutual cooperation toward the common good to be obtained in uncommon ways.