Have you 'changed sides' politically?

[Doug]

This is a thread for people who have changed their political orientations substantially during their lives. For example, for people who now consider themselves conservatives, but who once were liberals. Or for liberals, who began as conservatives.

My question for you is: what, in your opinion, made you change?

Some particular experience? (There is an old saying, that a conservative is a liberal who was mugged. On the other side, I have a friend who was the national chairman of his country’s Young Conservatives, but who became involved in anti-apartheid activities, and was radicalized by that.)

Some change in your life situation? (Another old saying is that a conservative is a liberal with a mortgage. Or with a daughter in high school.)

Or some extended exposure to a different way of thinking? (Many young people who come from conservative homes become liberals after attending college.

Or something else?

So … if you switched, why did you do it?

[mook]

I went through the whole stage of high school confusion relatively recently--this year I finally settled on a political standpoint/philosophy that works very well.

I seesawed back and forth between liberalism and conservatism--two years ago I was very liberal, but at the start of last year I was practically a libertarian. Anyway, recognizing my indecisiveness and that no one political philosophy can truly identify my view of the world, I've moved into a more Centrist mentality. Not a moderate mindset, mind you--moderates, in my view, are wishy-washy pussies who are afraid of taking stances on issues. Centrists, by my definition, have a firm stance: They stand for nothing. And they look at the issues objectively, trying to find a pragmatic solution.

That philosophy on politics has only developed fairly recently, and was mostly created from my frustration at both sides in the 2004 election.

[Milton Bradley]

Have you 'changed sides' politically?

I started out my political life as a Conservative. I was more, or less forced into that camp by simply attempting to dispute all the Liberal propaganda (parents, parents viewing habits, job, etc...) I was encountering in my life.


Some particular experience?

Then, I noticed what a den of thieves the Conservatives were about the time Ron Reagan gave his "I won't have that Secret Society guy George Bush as my Vice President" speech prior to his Presidency.


So … if you switched, why did you do it?

When I heard my first Libertarian opinions about the problems in government, I knew right where I belonged. I had a very deep desire to know the truth, and not the spin the respective parties were putting on the "facts". I realized that Democrats, and Republicans no longer believe in transparent, representative government, and there a few choices if you believe transparency is necesarry ingredient in a representative government. I realized that niether Republicans, or Democrats respect the constitution, or the law, and thus, I became a Libertarian, and a defender of the constitution.


I believe that constitutional government is the only chance for freedom, and peace we will ever have in our lifetimes. I also believe that all of Americas enemies are cultivated from all of our hypocritical policies forwarded by the the two headed Republican/Democrat beast. I believe that by simply removing them, and their unconstitutional policies would end virtually every problem facing Americans today.


Thirty eight flavors of jelly beans, thity one flavors of ice cream, and yet most Americans believe they only have two flavors of government. I found there is another choice. That is what motivated me to switch sides.

[Chris]

My question for you is: what, in your opinion, made you change?

Yes. I used to be a right wing nutjob but about a year ago I saw the light. I look at things objectively now. The reason? I woke up and smelt the roses as one would say. Another significant factor for me changing is Rush Effing Limbaugh. I used to listen to him but he is nothing but a kool aid drinker, defending Rummy and co. with every breath, no matter how wrong they may be.

[Osborn F Enready]

I changed political views about 5 to 8 years ago. I used to get my news from television media, and I was rather non-political. I was raised a Democrat, and changed to Libertarian after doing a few years of hard research on history and facts about my government.

If you believe in the Constitution of the United States, I find it hard to believe you could be anything but a Constitutionalist or a Libertarian based on the history of the parties, and the lies that have been proven about both major parties.

[The Analog Kid]

I think it's normal for people to change their positions as they change. I must admit I find it hard to believe that people can completely change an entire philosophy though. But apparently they do though.

I find it difficult to identify with one particular party, as neither represent, and act upon my views. I admit that I agree with the Republicans more than I do with the Democrats becasue I value freedom and liberty but I stopped the Republican good, Democrat bad mantra a long time ago and became an independent. Neither party has a 100% lock on whats right. I don't hold either party with high regard at this time.

I've changed my positions on several things.
Here are a couple:

At one time I was completely pro-abortion. Now I am staunchly Pro-life.

I once believe that the US had no obligation to help people being victimized by evil dictators. I now believe that we have a moral obligation to do so.

[Starboy]

About ten years or so ago I changed my political affiliation. I used to self identify as a republican but not since they became the Christian right party. It became obvious to me that they abandoned their principles of smaller government and freedom. In its place they have created homeland security and the patriot act, reckless foreign policy and the largest deficits since WWII. They are now anti-choice, anti-progress and anti-constitution. They are all for turning this country from a republic into a democracy and instituting the tyranny of the majority. Screw the rule of law, they will toss it out and replace it with the bible. And they will happily take us back to the dark ages.

Starboy

[Pooeypants]

A long, long time ago, I support the Conservatives, I never trusted Tony Blair even back in 1997... Anyho, to cut a low story short, their leadership has wanned and I found their policies to be lacking. Hence I switched allegience to the Liberal Democrats.