PDA

View Full Version : Warning: How Your Political Views Have Changed Over The Years



Perianne
10-20-2017, 01:07 PM
Have your political views changed over the years?

The only things I can think of for me are (1) my view on abortion, and (2) that there are some "good" Democratic politicians.

Captain Obvious
10-20-2017, 01:18 PM
I went from being a boilerplate conservative to a moderate, then to a anarchist and now I'm at "who gives a fuck, people are drooling idiots".

AZ Jim
10-20-2017, 01:25 PM
I was raised in a republican home. I voted Republican through Reagan. I woke up and realized that the hand in my wallet was Republican and I began to study the issues and found myself a Democrat. Funny thing both my folks were voting Democrat before they died.

Standing Wolf
10-20-2017, 01:45 PM
As a teenager in the late '60s, early '70s, I read Abbie Hoffman and Charles ('The Greening of America') Reich and a lot of other counter-culture material. I identified with the Hippies and protesters, listened to Janis Joplin, the Beatles, Arlo Guthrie and the Fugs, and fantasized about leaving home to go hitchhiking around the country. Young was good, old was bad and stupid. When Bobby Kennedy died, I didn't talk to any adults for a couple of days.

As a 20-year-old junior enlisted man stationed in San Diego in 1974, I read a book called 'The Death of a Nation'. The author was a man named John Stormer, whose previous book, 'None Dare Call It Treason', had become a sort of bible for the forces of anti-Communism and government conspiracy types on the Right. Politically naïve as I was, I more or less accepted what I was reading as gospel. I'd heard of something called the John Birch Society, and knew that they were active in anti-Communist causes, so I looked them up in the phone book. I ended up actually joining the organization and attending a few meetings in people's homes. (The stereotype of "little old ladies in tennis shoes" turned out to be, in many cases, remarkably right on the money.) The more I read and listened, the more "out there" much of their ideas and theories appeared, and I stopped going to meetings and let my membership lapse.

In the forty years since, I've just developed and come to embrace views on various issues as they've presented themselves. Simply living, traveling and getting to know people - assuming one keeps one's eyes and mind open - is the best source of education in so many areas. The path to justice has a way of making itself known to those sincerely interested in finding it.

Perianne
10-20-2017, 01:46 PM
...Funny thing both my folks were voting Democrat before they died.
I hope you don't hold that against them. People often have varying levels of dementia with age.

Chris
10-20-2017, 02:05 PM
I was raised in a republican home. I voted Republican through Reagan. I woke up and realized that the hand in my wallet was Republican and I began to study the issues and found myself a Democrat. Funny thing both my folks were voting Democrat before they died.

I was raised in a Democrat home, though my dad and his were Blue Dogs. The youngest son is a liberal, the middle son a conservative and I'm a libertarian anarchist.

I started off a minarchist--Goldwater/Paul/Hayek. But once I read Rothbard and Hoppe I became a free market anarchist.

Over time I have switched from anti-gay marriage to pro, and pro-abortion to anti--all based on libertarian arguments.

Kalkin
10-20-2017, 02:06 PM
I used to think liberals were decent people who just needed a bit of real life experience.
Time has shown they're just bitter marxists who want to tear down people who are more successful than they are.

jimmyz
10-20-2017, 02:28 PM
I was raised in a republican home. I voted Republican through Reagan. I woke up and realized that the hand in my wallet was Republican and I began to study the issues and found myself a Democrat. Funny thing both my folks were voting Democrat before they died.

That can't be true Jim. From when you were 30 years old to 70 the House was Democratically controlled. Reagan reduced the personal income tax rates. Then how did the Republicans pick your pocket? You're getting a COLA on your SS this year.

Cletus
10-20-2017, 02:31 PM
That can't be true Jim. From when you were 30 years old to 70 the House was Democratically controlled. Reagan reduced the personal income tax rates. Then how did the Republicans pick your pocket? You're getting a COLA on your SS this year.

He is and was uninformed. That is why he is a Liberal Democrat. It is the party of self delusion.

jimmyz
10-20-2017, 02:35 PM
When I was in grammar school I was an anti-Vietnam War radical. I wrote to President Nixon and received a response from him (his office, the signature was probably not his). Other than that time I was apolitical. When I became a father and left behind my salad years I became Conservative. I am a live and let live Conservative now so I don't know if they have a word that?

Mister D
10-20-2017, 02:45 PM
Both of my parents were conservative Republicans. Not sure if that was case all their lives but it was for as long as I can remember. I think I have a conservative disposition in any case so that environment only reinforced an intellectual tendency. Around age 30 I began to be exposed to ideas outside the American political milieu and perhaps even totally alien to it. I'm more conservative than ever but what it means to me be a conservative has changed drastically.

AZ Jim
10-20-2017, 02:49 PM
I hope you don't hold that against them. People often have varying levels of dementia with age.Watch it!

Doublejack
10-20-2017, 02:53 PM
It went from I cared to I don't care.

AZ Jim
10-20-2017, 02:53 PM
That can't be true Jim. From when you were 30 years old to 70 the House was Democratically controlled. Reagan reduced the personal income tax rates. Then how did the Republicans pick your pocket? You're getting a COLA on your SS this year.I'm getting a $6 raise in SS and my medicare is going up even more in premiums. Reagans famous "Trickle down" economy sure was a plan....not.

Docthehun
10-20-2017, 02:54 PM
Watch it!

I've wondered if I become at nut case will I even know it?

Captain Obvious
10-20-2017, 02:55 PM
I've wondered if I become at nut case will I even know it?

No, you won't have a clue

Chris
10-20-2017, 03:02 PM
When I was in grammar school I was an anti-Vietnam War radical. I wrote to President Nixon and received a response from him (his office, the signature was probably not his). Other than that time I was apolitical. When I became a father and left behind my salad years I became Conservative. I am a live and let live Conservative now so I don't know if they have a word that?

It's libertarian, live and let live.

https://s1.postimg.org/24al9u978f/download.jpg

Chris
10-20-2017, 03:04 PM
I'm getting a $6 raise in SS and my medicare is going up even more in premiums. Reagans famous "Trickle down" economy sure was a plan....not.

Saw that. Highest raise in SS in history and Medicare will eat it all up.

Reagan hasn't been President since the 80s, Jim.

AZ Jim
10-20-2017, 03:12 PM
Reagan hasn't been President since the 80s, Jim.

Chris I give you credit for trying. *Handing Chris a "Participant" Trophy!

Chris
10-20-2017, 03:33 PM
Reagan hasn't been President since the 80s, Jim.

Chris I give you credit for trying. *Handing Chris a "Participant" Trophy!

Why thank you, Jim!!

https://s1.postimg.org/1usliucbb3/giphy.gif

MisterVeritis
10-20-2017, 03:35 PM
I was raised in a republican home. I voted Republican through Reagan. I woke up and realized that the hand in my wallet was Republican and I began to study the issues and found myself a Democrat. Funny thing both my folks were voting Democrat before they died.
And continued to vote Democrat long after their deaths.

Mister D
10-20-2017, 03:36 PM
I think these odysseys between left and right, liberal and conservative suggest more about the conformity lying at the heart of American politics than they do about any personal transformation. The philosophical gap between these categories just isn't that significant in the American context.

Perianne
10-20-2017, 03:41 PM
...The philosophical gap between these categories just isn't that significant in the American context.
Please explain, Mister D. For I see major differences between liberals and conservatives in nearly all parts of life.

AZ Jim
10-20-2017, 03:41 PM
And continued to vote Democrat long after their deaths.Knock it off cockbreath!

Perianne
10-20-2017, 03:43 PM
Knock it off $#@!breath!
Jim.... the profanity!!! :)

Mister D
10-20-2017, 03:46 PM
Please explain, @Mister D (http://thepoliticalforums.com/member.php?u=4). For I see major differences between liberals and conservatives in nearly all parts of life.
Like what?

Captain Obvious
10-20-2017, 03:48 PM
Knock it off cockbreath!

Homophobe

Perianne
10-20-2017, 03:48 PM
Like what?
I'll get back to you. I have stuff to do right now.

Mister D
10-20-2017, 03:49 PM
The truth is no one is really suggesting any major change in American life.

Mister D
10-20-2017, 03:49 PM
I'll get back to you. I have stuff to do right now.
By all means take your time.

Adelaide
10-20-2017, 03:49 PM
My family is considered conservative for Canadians and tends to vote that way. Mom is religious, conservative on social issues, and doesn't vote (I joke that she votes for God and always wins), while my dad is a true fiscal conservative and approaches it from that angle.

I was a member of the Communist Party as a teenager. Very anti-Bush. I levelled out to be a Liberal (in Canada) when I was about 16 or 17 and joined the party, worked for an MPP, and helped organize and run events. When I started voting at age 18, I was a literal card carrying Liberal. I still am a member of the party in Canada. Socially very liberal, moderate in terms of economy.

In the United States... I moved here about two and a half years ago, which provided a different perspective. I still hold the same views on social issues, but am slightly more fiscally conservative, support some libertarian ideas, and have gone conservative (in the context of the United States) on issues like the Second Amendment, maybe immigration, definitely for the budget, somewhat on foreign affairs. Although, sometimes I have a hard time determining whether my more conservative leanings in the US are libertarian or conservative; perhaps a mixture.

But I am still a Liberal in Canada and support things like very strict gun control and universal healthcare in Canada, but don't support those things in the United States (to use two topics as an example). I try to keep things in context. Libertarian would be the best description for me in the United States. Would have voted Johnson in 2016, Romney maybe in 2012 (if I couldn't scratch), Obama 2008, Kerry 2004, Nader 2000... Guess that kind of shows how my views have changed.

Kalkin
10-20-2017, 03:51 PM
I am a live and let live Conservative now so I don't know if they have a word that?

Libertarian.

AZ Jim
10-20-2017, 03:56 PM
Jim.... the profanity!!! :)Don't bad mouth my folks.

jimmyz
10-20-2017, 04:02 PM
Don't bad mouth my folks.

Nah. He meant it as in, "there are dead people that continue to vote for Democrats", as a joke. Loosen those feelers my friend.:wink:

MisterVeritis
10-20-2017, 04:03 PM
Don't bad mouth my folks.
Do you believe it is a slur to say they continued to vote Democrat?

AZ Jim
10-20-2017, 04:16 PM
Do you believe it is a slur to say they continued to vote Democrat?You left out "after their deaths" and yes I consider it a slur you fucking idiot.

Cletus
10-20-2017, 04:19 PM
Do you believe it is a slur to say they continued to vote Democrat?

Calling anyone a "Democrat" is a slur.

Cletus
10-20-2017, 04:20 PM
You left out "after their deaths" and yes I consider it a slur you fucking idiot.

Jim... you want to know a little secret?

Nobody cares.

AZ Jim
10-20-2017, 04:24 PM
Jim... you want to know a little secret?

Nobody cares.The Mods do. The rule is no family badmouthing you fucking idiot.

Captain Obvious
10-20-2017, 04:32 PM
The Mods do. The rule is no family badmouthing you fucking idiot.

But calling Cleatus an idiot and "cockbreath" is kosher.

The liberal double standard at its best.

Adelaide
10-20-2017, 04:38 PM
Knock it off cockbreath!

Thread banned.

Everyone else - discuss the topic and don't insult one another.

Peter1469
10-20-2017, 05:38 PM
I was apolitical growing up. In the army, under Reagan then Bush I was a neocon. After deployments I realized that neocons were incorrect in their policies. And they spent tax dollars like drunken democrats.

So now I am 100% independent.

Green Arrow
10-20-2017, 06:16 PM
I was raised a very partisan conservative Republican. I recall my parents working on Bush II's 2004 re-election and listening to the results on the radio as we drove home from Los Angeles. I didn't understand much about it then, but I turned out to be a very highly political kid. By 2008 I was working with my dad on John McCain's campaign with our state Republican HQ, as well as the down-ballot races (but most of my efforts were put into McCain's election). I wore a McCain-Palin shirt everywhere I went, manned the phone banks, put out signs across the state, all kinds of stuff. Even got the shit beat out of me at school for the shirt. We went to a bar/restaurant on election night to watch the results come in on the big screen, our whole HQ, they just put up Fox News's coverage of it on a big projector and shined it on the wall. I remember being stunned like I got punched in the gut when it became clear Obama was going to win.

After that loss I started looking into things for myself and stopped just going along with my parents. 2010 was the first election I was eligible to vote in, the day I turned 18 I walked into my U.S. Government teacher's class and asked her for a voter registration form, she gave it to me and I filled it out and she turned it in for me. California at the time made you either register for a party or as "No Party Affiliation," so I registered NPA. Learned the hard way that the choice to not register for a party severely limited my choices, I basically only got to vote on local (as in, city) races and a couple non-partisan state races. That opened my eyes a lot. Philosophically I drifted into libertarianism, and in 2011 moved to Tennessee with my family. In Tennessee, there isn't even party registration, you just go to the polling place on primary day and tell them which party's ballot you want. In 2012 I pulled hard for Ron Paul, so I got the GOP primary ballot and voted for him. I got to work in the polling place, so I did what I could to talk people into voting for him too. My favorite people there were a couple of 80 year old ladies that worked with us at the polling place, they were bigger Ron Paul fans than I was. I didn't officially work for Paul's campaign but I damn sure unofficially worked for it.

After 2012 I became disaffected with the libertarian movement, there were a growing number of questions I had that they either ignored or couldn't answer, so I kept up my search and started drifting left. By 2013, when I joined this forum, I found socialism to be an appealing ideology and that's what I advocate to this day. I also advocate against partisanship, and my own ballots look very colorful to this day, as any given election I've voted pretty equally for Republicans and Democrats, and where possible I've voted for Greens and Libertarians.

Common
10-20-2017, 06:25 PM
My father was a lifelong democrat but not for any of the reasons of today. He staunchly believe that democrats fought for workers rights and work place safetly and unions.
Today he wouldnt be a democrat.

I was a democrat then independent and I voted back and forth depending on the candidate. I disagree with so much of the democrat parties agenda that although im a registered independent I cant think of a single democrat candidate I would vote for right now today.

MisterVeritis
10-20-2017, 09:27 PM
You left out "after their deaths" and yes I consider it a slur you fucking idiot.
Why would that be a slur? If I intended to be mean voting Democrat before death is damnable. Afterwards, it is just corruption.

Perianne
10-20-2017, 11:08 PM
Like what?
Mister D
I looked up a better answer than I could have thought of myself. It is here (https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/).