Wednesday, July 9, 2008

OKAY! I've been dying to know...................help me out here!


WHO among you would like to admit you were a LIBERAL some time in your life and WHAT changed you?
TELL ME, everyone....do you have parents who were liberals and you couldn't buy into it? Was it when you had to pay taxes? ...when you started dating a conservative? You just couldn't wear tie-dye anymore! WHAT HAPPENED?

Do you have a friend who was a liberal and finally saw the light? A sister? A brother? TELL US!

Share your stories...............it's uplifting, it's positive, and could be a great way to win over liberals.."Hey, I felt like you do now, BUT............" Tell us what your buts are! (so to speak!?)

THANKS!!

84 comments:

Nikki said...

I have never been liberal...though I will say I am far less conservative than I was in college. go figure... :)N

The WordSmith from Nantucket said...

I have never been liberal...though I will say I am far more conservative than I was in college.

Back then, I just didn't know any better, and was politically sleepwalking. I recognize, now, liberal beliefs I held from college indoctrination, but it never took deep root. I was being fed what I now consider bad information/perception of reality, in shaping how I felt about a few things.

The Merry Widow said...

I was 19 when the voting age was lowered to 18, I regstered republican...I can't abide the "aroma" of hippy.
Good morning, G*D bless and Maranatha!

tmw
I guess I read too much and thought too much to be THAT impressed by all that sloppiness!

The Merry Widow said...

And that's "registered"...just started my coffee...

tmw

Pat Jenkins said...

this is great z... i am ashamed to admit i was indifferent to politics until i became a "conservative", (though i still voted republican in those formative years) now i live for it. so there is my confession... no mention of any skeletons in the z closet. huh, are there any?..... he he!!

CJ said...

My father voted Democrat mostly, but that was in the times of a different kind of Democrat. When it came to McCarthy against the Commies, he was all out for McCarthy. I wasn't paying much attention in those years though. When I got to college I was a liberal just because everybody I knew was a liberal. I can't say I really got into it much, I suppose in reality I was more apolitical than anything else, but I voted liberal. Funny, though, even then I had conservative feelings that would poke through inexplicably, a patriotic indignation when my hippy liberal friends trashed America for instance. Not that I ever mentioned it -- it was depressing and I tried not to think about it. It was only after I became a Christian that I actually began to think politically, and of course then I met a lot of conservative Christians. And that's how that went.

Steve Harkonnen said...

Growing up in Detroit in a house where union support was obvious, and where my parents cohorted and partied with a guy named Jackie Presser (mom was a shop steward) it was obvious we were all Democrats. But we were Blue Dogs, not Liberals.

What changed my mind about politics took place in 1979 when I went to work for Lyndon LaRouche and the Labor Party. This is where I gained interest in computers and working in office environments.

I noticed the differences between the growing force of Liberalism and Democrat in general from working with hippies, and when I went into the Navy I hated Jimmy Carter with a passion and realized the blunders he was doing to our country.

When Reagan became president, it was an exciting time for all of us as we became more supportive of conservatism.

To this very day, my parents hate it whenever I bring up politics and since my father's accident and the battle I had to endure in getting his workmen's comp, his union turned his back on us and refused to help. He was a 35 year union man at the time, go figure.

So, at the same time, I grew to abhor Democrats, and unions along with it.

MathewK said...

The term liberal has been hijacked and dirtied by leftist vermin who have to constantly lie about who the really are. When i was growing up and because of where it was, i had no idea about leftists, liberals and conservatives. Didn't have much interest in politics.

I knew that things like Communism was bad, didn't do any in depth research into it or anything, shouldn't have to, an ideology that ends up killing millions of people simply cannot be a good thing.

I didn't even know much about America, but we knew about Reagan and Thatcher, that they did good things for their countries and the world. One day i heard about abortion and that it was a human right, didn't sound right then, still doesn't.

Then one day i saw planes flying into buildings and i heard people's last words, then i saw talkshow hosts waxing lyrical about how America brought this upon themselves and how they need to understand and how America mustn't do anything and i'm thinking, huh, WTF. That was before i came to the west.

Then i start reading about how evil America is and how terrible the west is, this was during the frenzy of the iraq war. So all these people were screaming and yelling about how terrible the war is, oil and all that BS. There i am thinking, here's a guy who's killed tens of thousands of people and we're upset that he's being taken out.

Didn't those evil, horrible Americans save all our asses somewhere back in the mid 40s and didn't they drop-kick those mass-murdering commies, saving us yet again. Why am i here if it's so terrible, why are people swimming across seas to come here. Why are people carping on and on about the western world, is there something in the water.

That's when i figured out what hippies are and learned about lefties and that both are just varying degrees of insane. And here i am. I've always been a conservative, just didn't know it. I may have gone along with the odd leftist idea back in the day, but that's just because leftists have this habit of fudging facts. Otherwise known as telling lies.

shoprat said...

At 15 years of age I believed in "Democratic Socialism" but maturity and experience showed me that socialism, no matter if it's good intentioned or through cynicism, will never work. Capitalism has its flaws but it is ten thousand times better than socialism. I now understand simple math.

Time + Socialism = Universal Poverty.

Anonymous said...

Someone should tell Madame Rainbow she needs to hook up her bra.

Maybe her politics never changed but her [blanks] sure did. OUCH!

FT

PS: I was never a liberal. I was raised among ardent Capitalists and caught on right away that a beautiful big house on a landscaped hill is more desirable than a teepee, mud hut, slum tenement or run down trailer park.

That said I've spent most of my adult life helping the less fortunate through discretionary use of private income. I believe in charity, but abhor theft.


FT

Gary said...

Howdy Z!

Thanks for stopping by!

I am indeed a Christian Conservative and live in So Cal. My eldest was just asked to sing full time on our worship team (all very talanted) and I am proud of my daughter's efforts.

I grew up in a Christian home, and as a rebelious act became a liberal (though I had no idea) but have since returned to the original family values I was raised with.

Email me and I'll clue you in on several other Conservative bloggers from California: gawfer2001@yahoo.com

Oswald Chambers has challenged me for quite a few years.

Gayle said...

Hi Z.

I was a Democrat but that's because I was raised a Democrat. I'm older than many here and my parents were Democrats before they went totally nuts. I've never been a liberal nut and I've never worn tie-dye in my life (thank you, Lord).

I wasn't really paying much attention until Jimmy Carter came along. That's when my hubby and I became Republicans. Jimmy Carter was reason enough to run away from the Democrats as fast and as far as possible.

EDGE said...

I've always been a Republican and conservative. However, while in high school I guess my views on abortion were middle of the road - maybe pro-choice than anything else.

Later, I knew a couple that had problems having kids. As you can imagine, they were very upset that women were having abortions. I remember them saying "if they didn't want them we'll take 'em." Since that moment, I knew that life was a precious gift and should be defended!

Z said...

GREAT responses, everyone!

So....Some were never liberal but were a little less conservative during college (SURPRISE!!!, right?! not!)...some changed or strengthened thru faith, some changed when they tried to put the libs to action and got no help, some just woke up to the lies, 9/11 nudged some into realizing how dishonest the left is, JIMMY CARTER gets 2 votes!, family values helped.....

Some are like me: Raised in a conservative but nonpolitical household to a naturalized Mom who LOVED this country SO much, and a Dad who did, too: I couldn't HELP but love America, her foundations, etc. I think believing in self reliance like I do, and how that lifts your spirits in so many ways, I can't side with those who'd as soon see that taken away just to make you a fawning member of the 'gimmee' society they're planning on. (allmy sisters are conservatives and all their kids are, too, imagine? except the one who attended Berkeley, not so much.....seriously! No surprise again, right?!)

So.....any of you think of any stories about friends having dramatic shifts in their politics, add it here! Double and triple commenting is welcome (Smile!)

Terrific input..thanks so much.

namaste said...

hi z, nice post here.

I am a democrat with some conservative views.

My parents didn’t really talk about their politics to us kids. So I was pretty much apolitical until I went to college. I was a follower and pleaser as a young adult and though I didn’t know it, I fell quickly into step with a number of liberals. Unfortunately I surrounded myself with a lot of whiners until one day when I realized that I didn’t want to whine anymore. I wanted to do.

But I still didn’t pay much attention to politics other than showing up to vote for my party every four years. I began paying closer attention when Clinton was in office mainly because it seemed the black community was enthralled with him. Even my parents began talking politics. Even though by this time I was college-educated and married with children, I was still seeking approval and acceptance, so Clinton became my hero as well. Today, ha! Not so much.

Come November, it’s looking like I might break from my party for the first time in my life.

cube said...

Can't help. I come from a family of conservatives. I've always been conservative in nature, and I don't consider my foray into feminism as liberal because back in my day, women were excluded from professions merely because they were women. Geez, women weren't allowed to wear pants or shorts! That was wrong in my eyes.

I did get my hair permed for about 3 weeks (couldn't stand it any longer). That was embarassing.

Z said...

Namaste, I hate to sound like a sop again, but every darned thing you write brings tiny tears to these old eyes! Also:
I have a dear Black girlfriend who says "Z, you know, I agree with everything you say, but I just CANNOT vote Republican, it would be going against my family"....
Another Black friend from church, who's a Conservative, said she's entertaining Obama thoughts..good ones!

After what Clinton did to Maynard Jackson (snatching the DNC chairmanship away after he'd promised it to him!!), I can't stand Clinton even more than ever...plus, I watched Jackson's whole funeral on CSPAN and was sickened to see the crowd cheering him on as if what he'd done hadn't mattered...as if he really WAS 'the first Black President'. How insulting is THAT?

I respect you very much, from things you've written (as you know) and hope my anti-lib stance doesn't hurt you. Believe it or not, I admired Pat Moynihan and Tip O'Neal types of liberals because, in those days, they were HONEST and STILL CELEBRATED CAPITALISM and SELF RELIANCE!! They argued with the Right but both sides wanted SUCCESS for America...and I don't see that anymore too much from the Left. So I can't help sounding angry and sounding off on the Dems.

Thanks for sticking around through it all. I really appreciate hearing your thoughts So much! xxx z

Brooke said...

I will not admit to ever being adjudicated as mentally incompetent.

;)

defiant_infidel said...

I was always Conservative regarding 2nd Amendment, family cohesion, abortion, work ethics, stealing and belief in God. Dad was a lifelong Demo, but as CJ mentioned, from a time when they represented most Conservative values. Of course that time has long since evaporated.

Through my teen years and twenties I fell into the typically poor, socially liberal vices and bad choices. I chased women for sex and experienced a sequence of failed relationships, including my first marriage of ten years, due to my ignorant pursuits and empty motivations.

I finally reaped what I had sown exponentially with a lady I affectionately refer to now as "The Wicked Witch of the West". Following, a true friend was good enough to sit me down and reveal to me the behavioral pattern, and errant ways, of my "goals" to that point in time. It was a tremendous awakening and a pivotal turning point in my life. I finally understood and stopped making the same, self inspired mistakes and never looked back.

I am now rigidly defined in my principles and married to an absolute gem of a lady for 14 years this September. God has blessed me with clear vision and honorable targets.

Musically, I have found inspiration in many country music lyrics cherishing values and family and reflect on some of my rock and roll passions from earlier life with disdain. Funny thing how we grow if we live long enough...

Here's a rather humorous example that displays that last sentiment rather well.

Great idea to post this invitation to your readers, Z. I'm hooked hard and will remain one of them from here forward. THANX!

namaste said...

z, (((hugs))) to you, sweetie. we don't have to agree on every thing to be friends. i LOVE your outspokenness in blogland. trust me, there will come a time when i write something that you completely disagree with if i haven't already. ;)

thanks for your very kind and encouraging words.

~maria

Anonymous said...

I was non-political until Jimmy Carter made me ashamed to be an American in '79.

Unknown said...

I was a leftard all the way to the tie dye dresses, Dead Shows, anti war protesting and kool aid sucking sheeple mentality, I bought the BS.

In fact it was the protesting that changed me, talking to troops,to people who knew.... My parents were conservatives but never EVER forced any politics down my throat.But I had the whole "grew up in San Franfeckistan" thing going for me.

Back during the first gulf war...I sat with my eyes glued to the TV, the MSM filling my head with visions of endless war and my boyfriend being taken away in the Draft they promised was coming, and then we went into Iraq and.....well none of that happened.

Then I was out on my own and saw that if I wanted something, needed something, I'd have to get it myself and work hard for it, the government wasn't going to do it for me, and why should they?

Reality and facts changed me.

I still wear Birks and have a couple of tye dyes. I still wish for world peace, for our troops to be home and safe. But reality, facts and jihadi's all get in the way don't they.

heidianne jackson said...

di said "Here's a rather humorous example that displays that last sentiment rather well."

omg - i just spewed peach nectar all over my monitor. gosh what a sticky mess! really, di, a better warning was warranted ;)

seriously.

my parents are libertarians - i guess in the past they were considered republicans, but no matter, they have ALWAYS been conservative. my dad used to drive us through washington d.c. to show us the hippies and explain the dangers of drug use.


needless to say, i being the good little rebellious girl that i was ran as quick and as hard the other way as i could. i even went so far as to enter into the "miss democrat of charles county" contest in my junior year of high school. didn't win though :(

i was in college, and my dad was continuously making snide {actually logical) remarks to me about my politics. but he never came out and hit me between the eyes.

when one day he said something so profound, i couldn't ignore it any more. i voted republican in the next election and have never looked back.

i am a diehard constitutionalist and i make no apologies for it. glad to know there are so many other out there like me too...

Anonymous said...

I grew up in a family with strong family values, strong sense of right and wrong. Character was of great importance, and was the focus of my parents in raising my sister and I.

Issues were discussed often in our home as well. When I reached my teen years I began to participate in those discussions. My parents were Republicans.

I was 21 in 1960, registered as a Republican, but, at the time it didn't seem so important what Party one belonged to. People of both parties were not at opposite ends as they are today.
I voted for Nixon but was not devastated when JFK won. I believed then as I do now, that he was a patriot and an anti-communist.

I've been interested in politics and things political as long as I can remember. I joined my folks in watching both conventions on our old black & white TV. Watched coverage of the House Unamerican Activities hearings, etc.

Having been married at 18 and a parent at 19, the future of the country took on a new importance once we had children. I became more accutely interested in the issues of the day.

I would say I've always been conservative, although patriotism, religious values, and self reliance were not concepts, all those years ago, that seemed to be within the purvue of only conservatives.
I would add I'm sure there are democrats today, who believe in those things as I do, but are not represented by their democrat decision makers.

I took freedom for granted for many years. That is not the case today. I began to be alarmed during Johnson's Presidency. Challenges to celebrating Christmas in the schools were being brought to the fore during the sixties. Demonstrations began to be a daily occurence. The War on Poverty. Anti-war activists who took on an anti-American persona.

A lot began to change at that time, and we're still slip-sliding today.

I never saw the civil rights movement as political. I always saw it as a matter of justice and the right thing to do. Unfortunately it has become a catch-all for every group who has a gripe.

I am I think, more tied to my conservative moorings today. My uppermost concern is preserving freedom, and securing the America I love, for my children and grandchild.


Pris

CJ said...

About friends shifting, I'm sad to say all my old Berkeley friends just went on to be aging liberals, some of them just as militant as ever. They run the philosophical gamut from barely updated hippy to barely updated New Left, including a still-addicted potsmoking creative type into New Age art, a Zen priestess, a couple of Native American-identified activists. I reconnected with some of them over the internet a few years ago but despite my best efforts remaining friends at that point had become impossible.

But when I moved up to Nevada I did have a chance to nag at my brother who had also been indoctrinated in liberalism. I got him hooked on Rush Limbaugh and later, with the help of one of his buddies, turned him to Christ.

By the way, I'd like to add that during my liberal phase and earlier, while there were different Democrats I think there were also different Republicans, or at least the kind I knew were that different kind. I had Republican relatives who had lots of money and conservative politics when it came to money, hard work and success, but no social values otherwise, no concern at all for the underdog, no charitable impulses such as FT talks about, and no objection to abortion etc. The sort of conservatives my blue collar Democrat father didn't think much of. Of course it's hard to argue with filet mignon every night if you want, and private fashion shows at Saks.

(That was before Berkeley). By the by the way, I wore out my last pair of Birks down to the inner sole, which wore through the strap too, about ten years ago, and haven't been able to afford a pair since. Never never tie dye though. It's ugly.

Papa Frank said...

Z-- This is just the most interesting thread that I have read in a long time. You are a blog goddess!!! I have been a conservative ever since I had a party in elementary school to watch Ronald Reagan get elected. Reagan's greatest gift was telling us that we were a GREAT country. When will we be reminded again?

Z said...

maria, I look forward to discussing something you write I disagree with and i SO hope you do, too....thanks for that trust and respect, sweetie. xxx


CJ, I got a friend listening to Prager and she's SO coming around. Some people just make too much sense to ignore. (re: the fashion show at Saks? My $$Uncle once took his niece (ME) to the Beverly Hills Hotel for lunch and dragged me in to buy myself a present! He picked out a very glamorous gown! I was about 23 and I said "Where am I going to wear THIS?" he said "Vegas" I said "You don't wear this in Vegas, you APPEAR in this in Vegas..on the STAGE" We didn't buy it, but I got a honey of a thin gray flannel dress with a cream chammois belt!! (I still have the belt!) Lovely memory!>

Brooke..I guffawed! You are so funny~!! Sounds like something Beamish would have said and, in my book, that is the highest compliment, right!?

Jenn of the Jungle..thanks for telling us; I'm looking forward to going to your blog. San Francisco will certainly do that, won't it!! You said it best: when you have to support yourself...you depend on YOURSELF if you have character.

cube; i relate! And my high school class (TAft, in Woodland Hills, CA) was the last whose girls had to wear skirts to climb the stadium bleachers!!!
\
Heidianne! You're not going to tell us what Dad said!? Do you remember? !!(not if you're like ME these days, right?!)

Pops...I saved your comment. Thanks so much, I was hoping to get great comments, and I SURE AM!!

PRIS!! CIVIL RIGHTS are SO NOT POLITICAL! I agree. And, you left out stories you've told me about fighting at your schools to make sure good values were upheld! Some day, I"d like you to write me a PRISCILLA"S POST on that, okay?! We sure need more Moms/Grandmothers like YOU are today and were as a young mom standing up for your and your childrens' rights!

Let's hope we get more..this is FUN!

CJ said...

This IS a great thread Z. I think I've read the whole thing three times by now. You ARE a "blog goddess!"

Just want to add that you and I must have had the same rich uncle. Only some do wear glamorous gowns in Vegas or did in the 50s. I was part of my aunt and uncle's entourage for a trip there in those years, and while my aunt had made sure my strapless eyelet- work shimmering blue sateen dress (which I loved) was in the conservative range, the rest of the party was decked out in gold and silver lame' and sequins and chiffons and flounces galore, the works. That was for one of the big shows. I doubt anyone bothers to dress like that any more, though ANYTHING goes in Vegas. But you have better taste.

That kind of lifestyle with its glitzy superficiality and basic immorality unfortunately fitted me for an abiding cynicism that would make liberal politics look uplifting for a while, but also the liberal type debaucheries that I met with and indulged in at Berkeley, similar to what defiant infidel describes. It's amazing any of us survive life. But I have the Lord to thank.

Z said...

DEFIANT INFIDEL...JUST watched that video! It is SO FUNNY I can't stop laughing at if ...HOGGIFY!? KIA?

And a friend just today told me about it...she didn't tell me just HOW funny it is, tho!! Thanks so much..hilarious!

Mad Dogs and Englishmen is one of my favorite albums, I am a Cocker fan of sorts, but THIS is FANTASTIC!! (Leon Russel was this piano-playing girl's idol in those days..along with Chris Stainton, who I got to meet once!)

CJ......we must have SOME uncle in common.......6 degrees of separation!? I enjoy reading your reminiscences a lot!

Trekkie4Ever said...

Most Hispanics vote Democrat and at the age of 20 I, shamefacedly, was pro-choice. Although, I was not politically involved and thank God!! I did not vote for Bill Clinton, whew! I don't think I could have lived that down.

Anyhoo, I became a Christian many years later and knew that abortion was murder. I became a conservative Republican and got very involved with politics and I watch everything closely now.

Melanie said...

Ok..I just read all your comments and it was a GREAT read!

I grew up in a conservative home. We talked about everything..and politics was no exception. I was so proud to vote at 18..I got teary eyed when I placed my ballot in the machine...and cried when Bush lost to Clinton. I will pass on this heritage to my children. I want them to know how important it is to know what is going on.

Conservatism is not backward and old fashioned like so many push. The liberal view is old..old, tried, miserably failed thinking put in a new package.

Anonymous said...

I have never have been liberal a lifetime ago. I used to believe it was a womans right to have an abortion because it is her body. That all change once I became born again and I thank G-d I was saved from that secular mindset.

It also saved me from believing being gay was okay. G-d says it is an abomination - It is in Leviticus in the Bible.

I also used to believe as long as you are good person, live a clean life, do not hurt others, kill or steal (I did not consider abortion murder then) that you would be okay with G-d. NOT!

Thank G-d He loved me so much that he sent a laborer across my path to show me not only the good news of the Gospel, but help me become saved. I tell everyone Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I thank G-d for everyday and and recite this, "This is a day the Lord has made and I will be glad and rejoice in it."

Guess it is too late to say, don't tell anyone I used to be a liberal, but I guess I was not that liberal after all, because I could still reason, see the truth, and use common sense and be open minded --- something liberals of today never do.

Just pray for them. You never know, they may just come around!

Cool post Z. BTW-my parents were not hippies - they were always very conservative.

I think my being liberal for awhile was a rebellion against them akin to Franklin Graham's rebellion against his father for awhile.

LOL..... look at all us prodigal children Z that have come back home.

See the Bible is right! Solomon wrote in Proverbs: "Train a child in how he should go and he will not depart from it."

In the end the good upbringing always wins out and even if we parted for awhile, we return to it!


Cool post Z. I never was into tie die though! I was a disco kid! LOL!

kevin said...

I was always pro-life and for low taxes, but I've become a lot more hawkish over the years. I didn't become a full-blown Repubilcan 'till the late 80's. Like a few have already said, I too was a bit apolitical in my youth. Getting married and having kids made me a lot supportive of law enforcement. Oh, and I always thought communism was evil.

Always On Watch said...

I have never been liberal. In fact, for as long as I can remember, I've always been pretty far to the right.

That said, I have made a few "voting errors" in my life and cast the ballot for someone on the left. Those particular ballots were a reaction against who was already in office.

Z said...

Leticia..bravo!

Always on Watch, I kinda figured you were never a liberal!!

Kevin; it's funny..some people have a family now and demand healthcare for them...others want lower taxes and the chance to make their own healthcare choices.

So...CHARACTER? Is it how we were raised? Is it something we're born with?

I wonder.

Papa Frank said...

Z -- CHARACTER - the pure and simple answer is that character is all about what we choose. It is our choices that create and dictate our character and it only depends on us.

Anonymous said...

Z, and Papa Frank,

I think our choices reflect our character. I agree the choices we make are character building or not.

However, I don't believe we are born with character. From the time we are born, we watch and listen and learn.

We were taught lying was wrong, cheating was wrong,
being disrespectful to our parents and other elders was wrong.
Taking something that wasn't ours was wrong.

We could watch and see how our parents treated each other with respect.

We were taught to stand up for ourselves and to be true to our values.

We learned we had to earn respect.

We learned if we wanted something, it wasn't simply provided, except for the Christmas or birthday gifts we received.

We had to save up for it from what little money we had from allowance.

We learned how important loyalty is.
We were told if you make a promise you must keep it. Be dependable.

Our parents simply created an environment that was loving, considerate, and disciplined. They showed their pride in us with just a look and a smile, or a hug.

There is no perfection here for sure, but the foundation was laid for a good send off into the world. The rest was up to us.

All I can say now is, I am grateful for what they gave us to prepare us for adulthood. It has made the ride a little smoother than it otherwise might have been.


Pris

Anonymous said...

Great picture, who ar they, the look a lot like Harry reid and Nancy Pelosi to me.

Steve Harkonnen said...

So.....any of you think of any stories about friends having dramatic shifts in their politics, add it here! Double and triple commenting is welcome (Smile!)

When my friend retired from the Navy, I took the kids and we visited the Norfolk area for the occasion. We went over to his house for dinner. When the tv came on, I switched it over to Fox. He and his brother immediately pitched a major bitch...this is when I discovered he had become a flaming libtard the past couple of years as I hadn't seen him much.

At the navy retirement ceremony, there were plenty of cracks about him being "a Bush basher and liberal" but it was all in jest.

However, at the after ceremony party at his own house, a couple of his sailors and I were talking and they told me that there were times they wanted him to just shut up and they wanted to toss his ass overboard.

We had a discussion on politics one day that turned into an argument. He hasn't spoken with me since and we knew one another for fourteen years. Even our wives got along great.

Kay Day said...

I grew up in a conservative home. I went to Jerry Falwell's University.
But I recently took a quiz that asked my views on the issues at hand and I came up smack dab in the middle.
What I am learning is that neither "side" has all the answers.
I care about human life - all human life. That includes unborn babies and children who are sold into slavery to make cheap goods so that I can buy a shirt for $4 at walmart.

God gave us stewardship over creation, but the conservative side doesn't take that seriously.

I don't support big government or big corporations.

I guess that test was accurate. There are views on both sides that I support and views on both sides that I don't.

This is an interest post and conversation.

Ottavio (Otto) Marasco said...

On the surface there was a time when I appeared to be Liberal, fact is I have always been a conservative. Maybe I was a closet variety at some point, today however, I'm an in your face conservative, in no uncertain terms!

Z said...

Steve...I have a few stories like that myself. People who couldn't take my faith or my politics and I hadn't even hammered them with either! They got a whiff of both and ran for the hills. One was a girlfriend of 23 years. We haven't spoken since she read an article I wrote about one of only 2 Conservative kids graduating from Santa MOnica HIgh School...she thought I should have covered the other side, too.
Yes..TWO conservative kids, the crux and reason for the article, and I was to cover the other side...which was, after all, the elephant in the room throughout the article! As if I had to explain THAT?! (I think I'm going to post that article here..maybe later today!)

Kay...thanks so much for coming by. I don't see the Republicans as being bad stewards (good stewards being an important thing to me (and God, of course!), too. Re; Global change, for example, I see them as being open minded to the facts from thousands of scientists who say global change is NOT human-caused. I believe that fairness and looking into ALL sides of an issue is crucial and that having conferences with thousands of attendees on Global CLimate Change and not allowing the side with my viewpoint to even come and talk is not being a good steward. Actually, I think it's small minded and rather typical. I think we have to recognize when the Right does good things for the environment, too. And they have, but the public doesn't hear. Also, who's really checked ANWR out? The facts on the drilling side are SO clear and compelling that we should have done that 10 years ago!
Also, I'm wondering how big corporations are such a problem when they employ SO many Americans. WHat'll we do when Mr. Obama's taxed pharmaceuticals (for example) so hard that America sinks to a level of mediocrity in that field (and others), not doing anything for the world as we do now through invention and innovation due to companies having enough money to have scientists doing nothing but experiement? We'll have to blame our Left for having cut that money off...and we'll have to go to Dubai for new innovation? China? I don't want MADE IN CHINA on my pharmaceuticals, too!
No, no side has all the answers. I just wish the Right was as respected and listened to in this leftist-biased media atmosphere where our kids are being indoctrinated instead of taught...
Kay, I hope you come back; good to have you here.

ai...i can't imagine you liberal!

Pris......what's hard for me to explain is families with two kids close in age and one has good character and makes good choices and the other dies of a drug addiction at 17. Also, kids who've been raised in awfully tough homes (poverty, alcoholism, etc.) and are SUCH fine people at a pretty young age; as if they are wise beyond their age. I agree that character is mostly achieved because our folks set good examples, but there seems to be something else...in my opinion, anyway!>??

nanc said...

although i've had a few liberal tendencies (wanting to save the world), i've NEVER considered myself a liberal. ever. it amazes me that anybody would ever admit to such a thing!

hehehe...

MORNIN'!

Anonymous said...

WORDS to LIVE BY:


God grant me the power to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.


That of course is the Serenity Prayer made famous by Alcoholics Anonymous. I am not and never have been an alcoholic or a "substance abuser," but the distilled philosophy embedded in the Serenity Prayer applies to everyone who has ever walked the face of the earth.


Minding other people's business is inherently evil as well as a waste of time. Every one of us is a work in progress. In a very real sense we are what we think,so it well behooves us to hold ourselves to the highest standards we are able to recognize, while being unfailingly charitable to others and giving them the benefit of the doubt at all times.


Using religion as justification for condemning whole groups of people is, I believe, a wicked misuse of Scripture. This is what Muslim Extremists do. I think we should all agree that this is a poor practice to follow.

I do not believe in mixing politics with religion. Our faith may certainly inform us and guide us in whatever choices we make–––as it should–––but the focus of fault-finding should be on ourselves as individuals. We must examine ourselves and make an effort to square what we do each day with our conscience. Striving to improve ourselves while increasing our faith makes the best possible case for our faith.


"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works which glorify your Father, which is in Heaven."


The tenets of Christianity–––or any other religion–––should never be used to justify pointing an accusatory finger at people of whom we disapprove or feel instinctive dislike in order to justify rudeness, intolerance, discrimination, official rejection, condemnation or outright persecution.

That's how religious wars get started. Often such actions have resulted in the most barbaric forms of inhumane treatment imaginable.

This could not possibly be what God wants for or from His people.

There is no sin greater than the sin of self-righteousness or excessive pride in one's faith. No one has the right to be smug, especially when it hurts and discomforts others.

~ FreeThinke

elmers brother said...

I grew up in a yellow dog democrat home. Mostly because my maternal grandparents had grown up during the Depression and believed FDR was the messiah.

My mother and I have had some knock down drag outs, to the point that my father while he was still living refused to let us discuss politics in his house. I still remember watching Jimmy Carters swearing in (he walked down the middle of the street instead of in a motorcade). I can still remember my parents and I (I was only 12, thinking he'll be a great president). bwahhahahaha!!!!

My conservative conversion happened gradually. About my mid to late twenties I got interested in politics and believed that conservatism was a lot closer to my Christianity.

Funny thing my mother for the first time in her adult life has decided not to vote this year. So there will be no arguments come this election.

Anonymous said...

These are all very interesting stories and entertaining to read!

When I grew up, we were told by our mother to take responsibility for our action, and the same was true in school, including punishment in case of misbehavior. Life was difficult in the aftermath of WWII, so I learned very early that taking responsibility was the only way to survive.

After my mother died, I came to live with relatives, and my uncle had a brick factory - needless to say I saw how the company had to succeed while at the same time taking care of the employees. In other words: Capitalism with a heart for the people.

During my studies, I was a member in a conservative student fraternity, whose motto was "Honor, Friendship, Fatherland" - there were not many leftist ideas at that place either.

In my business life, I have been in leading positions from the beginning, including my own company at times. That didn't generate much sympathy for leftist ideas either.

OK, I admit: Knowingly or unknowingly, I have been a conservative all my life. I was, however, rather "unpolitical" most of my business life, but I had always a disdain for socialist and Marxist ideas, and even more for Willy Brandt, and I have always voted for the conservative parties.

It is only during the last several years that I became, with the help of Ms. Z, more politically interested - and now I understand much better WHY I was always a conservative.

Mr.Z

Z said...

FT: It depends on how seriously you take God's word and if you believe the Bible IS God's word, doesn't it. Many people hold your beliefs, and I understand them...and the biggest problem is that Christians are sometimes known to condemn when devout ones know that's not to be done (don't condemn, but be discerning); BUT, that faith informs our votes and informs our character and our choices is almost ALWAYS a VERY good thing.
If people didn't buy the Jesus part but followed the tenets alone, we'd have a much, much better world. (Which is, basically, a lot of what Jews do, isn't it! Good people who can't go to the "Jesus thing!"? at least most don't! I know plenty who are, more and more, actually!)

Elbro..Another GREAT sign against Obama, isn't it..? .. that your Mom can't vote this year when, normally, she'd go with the Dem, right?

Jimmy Carter seems to have been mentioned a few times in this thread ...I'm glad you reminded me of that.


MR Z FORGOT TO ADD that he was raised in post WWII Germany. His father was killed perfecting auto pilot (one of the first pilots/engineers working on that) when Mr. Z was two years old...his mother died when he was 15 but had been VERY sick for the last six years before she died...he HAD to survive and working hard for is what has formed him..nobody GAVE him anything)
He also wants me to add that the Sixties unrest in Germany REALLY impressed him in a negative way....watching the hippies throwing bricks at the police on the Leopoldstrasse in Munich from his fraternity house; to watch people attacking the police was a BIG THING for German kids who were raised to be polite, to respect the police, etc...it was shocking to them.
He wants to add Willie Brandt was educated in Moscow and then came back to rule Germany, something that did NOT go over well with Mr. Z!!

Anonymous said...

Z,
Yes, I do know there are many variables in any family. I do think children are born with certain inherent personality traits.

Some are more reserved and others more open and attainable. All in the same family. Some children need a more firm hand, or more concerted guidance than others.

I think some children are just easier to reach than others. Perhaps birth order is a contributory factor.

In any case I still believe that home environment is a big factor in one's character. Sometimes growing up in difficult circumstances can actually contribute to good character.

My own father was physically abused as a child, by his stepmother, who beat him and his two sisters with straps, while her own two biological children were never beaten. He left home as soon as he could.

What he took away from that was, that he never would have beaten my sister and I and never did. A couple of swats on the bottom with an open hand was the extent of corporal punishment in our house.

He was an engaged father, and seldom missed an opportunity to teach us. We could go to him or our Mom with any problem.

So, it's hard to predict a child's response to tough times in his childhood.

An interesting subject Z, and I don't think the "experts" have any more answers than the rest of us.
Parenting is a real life experience and it requires common sense and love. Most of us do the best we can.


Pris

WomanHonorThyself said...

maybe for 5 minutes when I was 14..LMBO!..hugzzz Z!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Pris. Nothing builds consideration and compassion more than having been treated roughly and unfairly during one's formative years–––and even beyond–––at least in most instances.


Unfortunately, sometimes it works just the other way. It's a cliché in the world of psychobabble that the abused frequently become abusers.


I am reasonably certain that many traits and propensities are inborn. So, good upbringing by conscientious and loving parents can certainly help a lot, but it cannot always overcome inherited characteristics.


I've known families where several siblings close in age are radically different from another. Same parents. Same socio-economic conditions. Same schooling. Same religious training.


"Who can explain it; who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons; wise men never try."


All that can reasonably be expected of any of us is that we try to do our best with hand of cards Life has dealt us.

Prayer helps a great deal for those inclined to pray.

~ FreeThinke

Anonymous said...

1996 marked the first presidential election that I was old enough to participate in, and I proudly waited in line in the basement of my college dorm to vote for President Clinton. It wasn't that I could articulate any of his positions because I didn't care enough to be informed, I merely thought it was the right way to vote. I even remember seeing a Dole/Kemp sign in someone's window, and couldn't believe they could be so blatantly wrong-minded, and proud of it. By the end of his second term, Clinton's antics had gotten him so much press, I couldn't help but at least know his favorite "positions", and had started to actually pay attention to politics. By 2000, I started speaking to my dad about politics, and was surprised to learn that he had been a Republican for about as long as I had been alive. He would talk to me about politics sometimes when I was a kid, but I generally tuned him out, so I missed what he was articulating. At any rate, I started to pay attention to world events, and began seeing the Republican party as the more productive party in U.S. politics. I was an eager supporter of George W. Bush when he ran against Al Gore. Then 9/11 happened. Today, I am a political junkie and read conservative blogs, listen to talk radio, and watch Fox News like most people read TMZ. My dad and I really enjoy those discussions now, but he says I'm even more conservative than he is.

It's that old Winston Churhill adage: A man under the age of 30 who isn't liberal has no heart. A man over the age of 30 who isn't conservative has no brain.

Love to you, Z

Deaner

Rita Loca said...

I have been a conservative as long as I remember. I remember mock elections in elementary school, I always voted republican.

Z said...

Thanks, Jungle Mom....me, too.

Deaner, love to you, too, babe! See you Sunday, and thanks SO much for the comment; I loved reading it. Now, we have to work on YOUR SISTER IN SAN FRANCISCO!!!!!

Freedomnow said...

Great stories here. There's enough for dozens of blog posts.

I was an anarchist punk in the 80-90s. In the late 90s I got pissed off at the Whitewater investigation which was supposed to be examining that scandal, but just turned into a witchhunt. The Monica Lewinski scandal made me vote for the 1st time and I supported Clinton.

After 9/11 and the 2004 presidential campaign I got sick of leftwing politics and havent turned back since.

Never been a sandal, tie-dye wearing mushbrain though.

Anonymous said...

I first voted in the Goldwater-Johnson election. I voted for Goldwater, and while Johnson won, it turns out that Goldwater was right about a lot of things.

To be honest, I detest the socialist mentality ... Great Society my you-know-what. All Johnson did was increase expenditures in programs that are even today miserable failures, and he created a welfare state mentality that remains with us.

That said, party is not the most important thing ... it is the ideology of the candidate that means the most to me. Since Obama is a Marxist ... I guess you know who I'm NOT voting for. So I guess I'm a moderate who thinks the good of the country should outweigh all other factors; history tells me socialism isn't good for our country or its people.

Semper Fi

Z said...

my gosh, Freedomnow, you're a new kid on this block, aren't you! But, SO wise and SO welcome. You sure did make up for lost time..!!

mustang; In what ways do you describe yourself as MODERATE and what makes someone lose that moniker, in your opinion?
Party is only important in that it usually encapsulates most of the things we personally stand for, right?

Anonymous said...

Z,

I love my sis, but that's a good one. She lives in Berkeley! And has so intellectually for many years before she physically moved there.

See you Sunday,

Deaner

nanc said...

ask fern about his mohawk...

*;]

Stylin said...

Hi Z
I was liberal in India...but you have to be a liberal because otherwise you are Hindu conservative

Great Destinations,Great Food said...

Guess who finally posted a recipe?
Frasypoo

Z said...

Frasypoo....that hamburger recipe sounds fantastic! BUTTER in a burger..mmm

Hey, what about HINDU CONSERVATIVE? What's that mean exactly? thanks!

Warren said...

My parents were union all the way and I suspect they voted heavily Democrat although I don't know for sure. They didn't say how they voted.

My grandparents raised me until I was about ten years old. My grandfather was the Republican precinct committeeman, or as they are sometimes known, "ward healer", who had a patronage job when the Republicans were in power and was out of luck when they weren't.

I knew that Democrats were corrupt when my grandfather lost an election by one vote. That vote was cast by a certain Mr Gibbs who had been dead for two years.

Now, I have no way of knowing how Mr Gibbs voted, but since he was my grandfathers arch rival and bragged that he would never vote for a Republican 'as long as he lived'; maybe he changed his mind after he died.

I started reading at an early age. I believe the first adult book I read was "A Pilgrims Progress" but I soon became aware of Science Fiction and the juvenile and adult libertarian fiction of Robert A Heinlein.

I would have to say that I came of age as a Libertarian but I've always held conservative social views.

I would say that 9/11 changed me from a conservative libertarian to libertarian conservative. Actually that's wrong. I'm a classical Liberal as are most of the people here.

Merriam Webster says:
liberalism, 1: the quality or state of being liberal

2 a: often capitalized : a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity b: a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard c: a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties.

The only thing I disagree with is "the essential goodness of the human race". Anyone that believes in the essential goodness of the human race has lead a sheltered life!

The people who call themselves "Liberals" or "Progressives" are actually totalitarians and fascists.

Chuck said...

I was raised by liberals but I don't think I ever really was one myself. I remember being in my teens and being pro-life, strong on crime and defense, had a dim view of welfare. I sometimes wonder if I was adopted. lol. My joke has always been that my parents probably wonder where they went right with me.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

I was a liberal until I discovered that throwing a tantrum got me a butt-whoopin' rather than what I wanted.

I stopped being a liberal then. I think I was 3 years old.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Truth be told, my grandfather having his business burned to the ground in the late 1950s by the Ku Klux Klan, er, Democratic Party because he was training black men how to repair electronics and televisions and worked as a Republican Party organizer registering black people to vote in Birmingham, Alabama has a lot to do with my utter contempt for the Democratic Party.

There has never been a reason to vote for them. Ever.

Anonymous said...

I was born and raised a liberal in a liberal family. Not necessarily in the way we think of "liberals" now (as leftists), but old fashioned liberals. We were staunchly for Civil Rights-my parents were student activists for Civil Rights in the late 50's after my father reurned from the Korean War. We were all patriotic American Democrats in the John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan mold.

We could no longer be part of the People's Democratic Party, and the only one who still votes Dem is my Aunt Jan and maybe one cousin. Oh well it's 35-2 Repubs to Dems.

Morgan

BB-Idaho said...

"Who among you would admit you were a liberal at one time?" OK,
I'll admit it..was a liberal kindergartner, liberal high schooler, liberal college kid, liberal army officer, liberal scientist in the defense industry.
Now older and wiser. Still a liberal. :)

Z said...

BB IDAHO...GLAD to have you here..what a good sport you are in the wake of some pretty big lib bashing! (deserved, of course!! SMILE!!!!!)

Come back...we'd like to have your input! seriously

Anonymous said...

bb so you're a liberal Idahoan? YOU'RE the one I read about! :-)

Seriously now, are you a classical liberal like me, or would you consider yourself more of a leftist/collectivist/anti-American? The latter group has taken over the Dem Party that my entire family abandoned.

Morgan

Anonymous said...

I have only one friend who is now
a converted conservative from a
long-time liberal. He says "I didn't leave the party (DEMS), the
party left me (a la Prager)."
Will report back what exactly changed him. I'm guessing taxes.
Matisse

Z said...

Thanks, Matisse, m'friend!
We'll be eager to hear! xxx

Morgan..RIGHT...every Idahoan we know is staunch conservative..even a little, well...........hmm

BB-Idaho said...

You all are right of course: us liberals in Idaho of necessity keep a low profile: you know, drive a big truck, overeat at fast food places, cuss any and all gov't...blend with the natives.
Heck, I even got a red neck! :)

Z said...

okay, bbidaho..now you're pi$$ing me off!! to use a vernacular I hate and don't use much(anymore!) (smile)

Sorry, the only conservatives I KNOW in Idaho wouldn't be caught dead eating fast food and don't know how to drive a truck...BUT, they will curse big government!

(they don't have red necks, either..you ought to see a doctor for that!)

BB-Idaho said...

Uh, "Sorry, the only conservatives I KNOW in Idaho wouldn't be caught dead eating fast food and don't know how to drive a truck."
..Massachusetts transplants? They don't even have the bumper stickers
'Welcome to Idaho, now go home' and 'I don't get mad, I get even'?
I'll look for them next time wifey
drags me to one of those wine-tasting affaires...

Z said...

Hey, bbIdaho..we DO need to 'get even'!!

Enjoy the wine!

Z said...

By the way..."WIFEY?" Is that hip, cool, open minded liberal or kinda ...i'm just sayin'!!

I'd DECK mr. Z!!

Z said...

Been thinking about Tony Snow's appeal: HE SPOKE BACK AT THE MEDIA FOR CONSERVATIVES. He spoke well, he didn't suffer fools...

pure and simple..who'd done THAT? Ari had in a dignified, sweet and gentle way, but Tony did all that PLUS box their ears.

Bush needed that. He was served so badly by that milk toast Scott McClellan, who is only now showing us HIS character and integrity, right?

BB-Idaho said...

Z, your "By the way..."WIFEY?" Is that hip, cool, open minded liberal or kinda ...i'm just sayin'!!
I'd DECK mr. Z!!"
I said I was liberal: not hip, cool
or open-minded*. The respected Mrs.
is only referred to as wifey when
there is an awful wine-tasting to be dragged off to.
*..well, open-minded enough to like Tony Snow. He was positive, upbeat and enthusiastic. Did I mention decent? I share your sorrow at the too-early passing of a fine courageous gentleman.

Z said...

bb...you're a good guy. I hope you stick around!
tell wifey HELLO!

Anonymous said...

NOTE: The NYT obit on Tony Snow predictably used the opportunity to try to make DAVID GREGORY (:-o look good.

Always that little twist of the knife from the MSM!

FT

Z said...

FT...could you send that to my email...not here? I'd like to see it..thanks! (and yes..typical!)

Freedomnow said...

Z,

Hindu Conservatives can be a really mean bunch. As you know after independence and partition, Hindus and Muslims both committed terrible acts of violence.

In some ways Hindu Conservatives mirror Islamists in that they both attack Christian missionaries and have religious supremacist politics.

I'm sure Frasypoo can enlighten us on the subject from 1st hand experience.

Z said...

Freedom Now..thanks for that; I do hope Frasypoo adds information.

Too bad they carry the "conservative" moniker.

Misfit410 said...

In high School I had long hair, dressed like a Hippie, and have no idea why.. because I hated the President at the time (Clinton) and was the furthest thing from a Liberal.