Subject: How much did everyone's political views change?
Anya
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 656 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 19/12/2003 at 11:00 PM
quote: I was reviewing my
political posts not so long ago and am amazed about how I changed in my
point of views since a year or so ago. I used to be more of a die-hard
liberal than anything and now I see myself as a moderate
Republican...Darwinian in many ways, but I support a -few- liberal causes.
America, like many countries, is not perfect, but I am about to turn 18 and
plan to actually VOTE (unlike 50% of the population), lol. I also will see
what I can do to support the several causes that I do support.
There are probably better places, but there are likely worse places, as
well. I used to just do nothing but constantly scream about how bad this
country is, but now I am growing to accept some of the negatives and look
to the positives...All I have to say is wow, heh...does anyone have any
thoughts on how they used to think and how they think now? Actually, I'll
start a new thread on that.
I'll quote myself from there. I am curious on what everyone used to think
and what they think now...as in what they used to view things like before
coming to Shmeng and what they view things like as in now.
Mine... are still as savage and crotchety as ever...
____________________ The earth turns on a tilted axis - just doing the best it can.
Hohenheim of Light~Full Metal Alchemist
Monolycus
Fanatic
Posts: 580 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 20/12/2003 at 12:59 AM
My views have changed somewhere in the "not one iota" range. I am old and
experienced enough to base my opinions on something apart from the whims of
a corporate-controlled media and the ad misericordian arguments du jour.
If nothing else, I am more confirmed now about things I vocalized a year
ago than I was when I originally said them.
If you don't base your political ethos on sentiment (which you can't
sustain), you'll find your positions will become more internally consistent
and will change far less over short periods of time (such as one year). My
ethos *can* be influenced and changed, but only by rational debate of their
merit and not emotionally charged gibberish fueled by groundless egoism or
the fickle passions of the day.
In other words, I am as angry and cantankerous as I've always been. Deal
with it.
Mono: you are a pussycat... you at least will give a topic somethought
before spewing... I do it as a kneejerk reaction to everything...
____________________ The earth turns on a tilted axis - just doing the best it can.
Hohenheim of Light~Full Metal Alchemist
Monolycus
Fanatic
Posts: 580 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 20/12/2003 at 11:08 AM
Thank you, Feral. I'm flattered. And "pussycat", eh...? That makes me
all warm and fuzzy.
~M.
callei
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 759 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 20/12/2003 at 03:11 PM
My views have changed to a more "liberal" (or balanced) point that they
were when I was in highschool. Im less idealistic and more practical than I
was then. But as I am not now and never was a Republicrat I dont want to
use the word "liberal". I do not even pretend to understand the "line"
between the two, since it seems to be mostly based on which government (the
"rightwing" church or the "leftwing" church) has to care for the people.
____________________ Real goths wear silver and crosses to keep the werewolves and vampires
away.
LadyCygnet
Fanatic
Posts: 287 Registered: 31/10/2003 Status: Offline
posted on 20/12/2003 at 05:18 PM
Well, I haven't been on shmeng very long; however, I can say, with some
certainty, that it has not affected my political views. My views have
shifted, yes, but the change occurred because of real-life events, as
opposed to those that take place in cyberspace. Shmeng has, however,
opened my eyes to different opinions, and, as time goes on, I am learning
to listen more and attempt to understand what other people think, why they
think what they do, and how their thoughts affect the world around them.
Also, through much prodding, I am learning to make my opinions more
defined, so that problems don't arise later. *sheepish grin*
When I entered college, I was an intolerant, southern Baptist virgin
Republicrat. Now, one degree, one marriage, one misscarriage, several
family deaths, one new job, one divorce, several new relationships, and
several bills later, I stand to the side and listen more, instead of
reciting the dogma that was shoved down my throat as a child. I describe
myself as "middle of the road" now.
The bad thing about being in the middle of the road, though, is the danger
of getting run over.
____________________ "To Live is to Annoy." -- Rev. Lambert Reilly, Archabbot, St. Meinrad Abbey
Anya
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 656 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 21/12/2003 at 08:44 AM
I just favour something from both parties. I'm not undecided, just a bit
more left-handed than most Republicans. I think a lot of my "more
Republican" side comes from having a low tolerance for all of the "we must
hand everything to people" motto and being sick of all the people who leech
off our Wellfare system and things like that. There are seriously a lot of
people here who just immigrate, become a citizen, and just ride on our
Wellfare without contributing anything. Sure there are -some- people who
really need the help, but there's a lot of people who could be doing
something.
As far as social issues go, I support the use of birth control and other
protections for sexual intercourse as well as homosexual rights. There's
still some states that do not give them as much rights as heterosexual
couples and I think that's wrong. This doesn't mean that non-secular
people should marry them, but they should at least be able to get married
at the court or something...
There's probably a bit more, but that kind of sums it.
Mono: just being honest... I spent a great deal of time trying understand
why I am like I am...
____________________ The earth turns on a tilted axis - just doing the best it can.
Hohenheim of Light~Full Metal Alchemist
IamSquid
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 658 Registered: 27/5/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 22/12/2003 at 12:06 PM
Current events over the past few years have completely reinforced my
political views as it becomes more and more obvious to anyone who's paying
attention. The only thing that's changed is the fact that I'm almost
considering voting for a Democrat rather than letting that bitch spend
another term in office. Of course the Democrats are a bunch of spineless
idiots who have less charisma than a hernia but it's better than a spoiled
little fucker who's always gotten everything he wanted and doesn't give a
fuck about anyone besides himself grown-up into someone who really needs a
few good kicks to the balls.
The problem here: I am considering doing what I've always complained
about, voting for someone I don't want as to win just to ensure someone I
want to win even less doesn't take office.
The more I think about it, the more I think I'll vote Green again.
And far less than 50% of the peopulation votes. Hell, less than 50% of the
population who is elligible to vote votes. Especially when yoo consider
how places like Florida just flagerantly throw people's votes out.
I better stop before I talk myself into anarchy.
____________________
i wanted to die, and then it progressed into wanting everyone else to
die so i could watch, and then me die.
-ickgirl
Grendel
Occasional Poster
Posts: 40 Registered: 10/12/2003 Status: Offline
posted on 22/12/2003 at 03:39 PM
Now I can't say I know muc about the internal politics of the US, due to
the fact that I'm from this small country in northern Europe.
Anyway, just thought I'd add that I don't think my views on politics
haven't changed much, thay have rather rooted more deeply than before. I
think more on why I stick to radical left, and have discovered that I have
a tendencies of including more of the world (all of it actually) when I
think of the politics we should have, unlike the right wings, who think
what is the best for us, I think what is the best for the world!
I just wish more people in the rich part of the world would think like
that. Maybe there wouldn't be that much war...
Probably would, but dreams are allowed, right =P
____________________ "There are no atheists in foxholes" is not an argument against atheists.
It's an argument against foxholes.
LadyCygnet
Fanatic
Posts: 287 Registered: 31/10/2003 Status: Offline
posted on 23/12/2003 at 01:43 AM
Everyone in politics wears a mask--it's all the same agenda underneath it
all...*sigh*
____________________ "To Live is to Annoy." -- Rev. Lambert Reilly, Archabbot, St. Meinrad Abbey
fidesquaerens
Coward
Posts: 9 Registered: 1/2/2004 Status: Offline
posted on 5/2/2004 at 06:10 PM
My views have actually changed a lot very recently. I was a die-hard
Republican for a long time, with exception to the right wing views on
abortion. Lately I have been looking into Libertarianism. Its more than
mildly radical, and a very idealistic way of considering government. I find
that many people aren't at all aware the basis of the party. And when I
call myself a Libertarian they automotically think I am a liberal, when in
actuality they are on completely different ends of the spectrum. It is the
closest realistic approach to pseudo-anarchism that I have found. http://www.lp.org/ is the
website, I don't know how to post a link yet, though. lol. sorry.
____________________ Does anybody feel this way? Does anybody feel like I do? Though half of me
is gone, the lonesome part is there. I cannot find the other half.
signet... I am considering runnin... mine would be a platform of complete
honesty...
____________________ The earth turns on a tilted axis - just doing the best it can.
/>
Hohenheim of Light~Full Metal Alchemist
BlueLinn
Fanatic
Posts: 246 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 10/2/2004 at 12:34 PM
Feral, if you ran for prez, I would vote for you. I'm sick and tired of all
the fucking lies. We are not all children that need to be suckled until the
day we die. As I have turned 18 I also find myself in a position to at
least help along the facade of actually TRYING to get someone good into the
whitehouse. Though sometimes I wonder if it really counts. Seeing as how on
a couple of occassions the poppular vote did not win, but the Electoral
colledge are the ones who actually elect our presidents. Sometimes, and
most of the times they vote for the person which the majority of their
state voted for, however on the occasion, they don't. Thus, it is still
about the money. But that doesn't mean that I cant research the candidates
and make the best choice for my vote... and then analize their actions and
their choices for MY life during the years they are in office, IF they get
elected.. Its my right.
____________________ When the world is over, will we wonder how it began?
Schizo
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 897 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 5/3/2004 at 04:06 AM
I would say that my political views have changed in two major ways. One is
an increasing disillusion with the Republican politicians who my family and
old church supported with so much enthusiasm. The other is a drastic swing
towards equal rights for homosexuals and non-Christian religions.
But I still haven't found myself a party or candidate I like. There are
some ways my views haven't changed, leaving me squarely in the more
conservative sector, and ways that I have changed that put me as strongly
in the liberal. And still more things that I am still pondering. It's
hard and slow work reprogramming the training of a lifetime.
Mostly, I just feel I want to be left alone as much as possible to live my
life the way I feel right, and let others do the same.
____________________ "You can tell by the scars on my arms and the cracks in my hips and the
dents in my car and the blisters on my lips that I'm not the carefullest of
girls." - Dresden Dolls, "Girl Anachronism"
callei
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 759 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 5/3/2004 at 09:10 AM
it would be sooo cool if there was a political agenda out there that said
"we will stop making new laws and start eradicating the old. we will set a
flat tax on eveyone and make everyone pay thier tax. we will help the poor
stop being so poor. we will work towards a cleaner ecology. and we will
keep our military strong."
If they wanted me to vote for barney rubble i would, if they would just
stop making life illegal, more expensive, and more protestant christian.
____________________ Real goths wear silver and crosses to keep the werewolves and vampires
away.
Schizo
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 897 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 5/3/2004 at 02:37 PM
I would say "amen", but that would be just TOOO Protestant Christian!
____________________ "You can tell by the scars on my arms and the cracks in my hips and the
dents in my car and the blisters on my lips that I'm not the carefullest
of
girls." - Dresden Dolls, "Girl Anachronism"
Well... I was gonna push for limitation of federal means and legalization
of all victimless crimes
____________________ The earth turns on a tilted axis - just doing the best it can.
/>
/>
Hohenheim of Light~Full Metal Alchemist
Anya
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 656 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 6/3/2004 at 10:00 AM
*signs up for "running for President" and makes her speech*
If I ran for President, I would be very conservative as far as fiscal,
crime, and foreign policy went, but I would do best to try to make our
crime system more fair so that not as many innocent people get sentenced to
death, would have something similar to "three strikes" (for all I am
concerned, a person loses their rights after they take away another's). I
would also do best to restore jobs that were exported overseas. Socially,
I suport women's rights, homosexual unions, and the acknowledgement of
non-Christian religions. I also would have more integrity than most of the
politicans today.
I'm against affirmative action, as long as quotas are involved. They're
not necessary anymore. Our country needs time to heal the wounds of the
past.
Business still remains business, but I would spend a bit of money to push
for the making of special filters to keep bad air from coming out of cars,
but that depends on how much moeny is left after the other things are in
effect.
Social Programs would be reformed (I can't really say cut for that's too
broad of a saying) to where the loopholes were closed, the same would go
for corporate loopholes. I think a lot of money would be saved by
that...on the other hand, I'm sure that corporations would try to find
other loopholes in the system after the exploited loopholes were closed.
So who's against me? Am I at least better than most die-hard rightwingers?