Small talk: Political flip

[AllThatJazzZ]

How do you identify politically? Were you ever aligned with the other side? If you have changed your political convictions, what was instrumental in that change? Did you have an epiphany? Did your life circumstances change? Did your values change? What are the chances you'll ever return to your original political stance?

[Cyber Liberty]

How do you identify politically?

Both FisCon and SoCon.

Were you ever aligned with the other side?

Yes.  My parents were FDR Democrats.  They swore to their graves that he was the greatest thing since sliced bread and saved the world.  I was a registered Rat and voted that way the first couple of elections back in the 70's.

If you have changed your political convictions, what was instrumental in that change? Did you have an epiphany? Did your life circumstances change? Did your values change?

I always was conservative in my private life.  I grew up hearing the political promises, and when I asked how they intended to fulfill those promises, I decided that Democrats are shysters that will promise the world and deliver nothing. That was my epiphany. That was years before my life's circumstances changed when I became a parent and started looking to the next generation.  My values never changed, only my perceptions of who was aligned with them.

What are the chances you'll ever return to your original political stance?

Zero. 

[Bigun]

How do you identify politically?

Staunchly conservative across the board. (Please note that I did not say Republican.  They are NOT the same.)

Were you ever aligned with the other side?

Attended my last Democrat political event in 1972.  Never going back.

If you have changed your political convictions, what was instrumental in that change?

I my political beliefs have never changed to any appreciable degree and likely never will. (In my early years all political action in my state (Texas) was between conservative and liberal democrats. Now the democrat party might as well change its name to the Communist party, and I will not be a part of that.

 

Did you have an epiphany? Did your life circumstances change? Did your values change? What are the chances you'll ever return to your original political stance?

The only epiphany I have had is in finally having it beaten into my thick skull that Republican does not equal conservative and never has.

[Cyber Liberty]

Staunchly conservative across the board. (Please note that I did not say Republican.  They are NOT the same.)

Attended my last Democrat political event in 1972.  Never going back.

I my political beliefs have never changed to any appreciable degree and likely never will.

 
The only epiphany I have had is in finally having it beaten into my thick skull that Republican does not equal conservative and never has.

And this is why you are my Barometer and Compass.   

[Bigun]

And this is why you are my Barometer and Compass.   

Thank you, Sir! I will endeavor to never let you down.   

[skeeter]

I was always on the right. When I was four mom hid me in the back of our station wagon to catch the person who kept tearing our Goldwater stickers off the bumper.

Got myself thrown out of Jr High social circles 'cause I was the only guy defending Richard Nixon. Wore a suit and tie to work all eight years of the Reagan administration.

Today, after 5 decades of betrayal, I utterly despise the Republican party.

[Bigun]

I was always on the right. When I was four mom hid me in the back of our station wagon to catch the person who kept tearing our Goldwater stickers off the bumper.

Got myself thrown out of Jr High social circles 'cause I was the only guy defending Richard Nixon. Wore a suit and tie to work all eight years of the Reagan administration.

Today, after 5 decades of betrayal, I utterly despise the Republican party.

And who can blame you? 

[Cyber Liberty]

Thank you, Sir! I will endeavor to never let you down.   

The only difference is I'm still at that stage that I want to give fixing it a try before I leave the Party.  After moving to a "rural" County that's one of the reddest in the nation, I found it easy to get myself elected First Vice Chair of the County, and my Missus got elected to our District Director, which is a third of the County.  Her job is much more difficult than mine.  We're presently on a drive to appoint more Precinct Committeemen to fill the ranks.  We're running out of vacancies.

I get to meet and speak at length with the office-holders because of my position.  Last weekend was a blast!  We had our 77th annual Mohave County GOP Picnic, and our room at the lodge was next to Sonny Borrelli's and our long-time friend who's a County Supervisor.  At the Picnic, I had a chance to chew the fat with Paul Gosar and the candidates for Governor, AG and Secretary of State. 

 

[Bigun]

The only difference is I'm still at that stage that I want to give fixing it a try before I leave the Party.  After moving to a "rural" County that's one of the reddest in the nation, I found it easy to get myself elected First Vice Chair of the County, and my Missus got elected to our District Director, which is a third of the County.  Her job is much more difficult than mine.  We're presently on a drive to appoint more Precinct Committeemen to fill the ranks.  We're running out of vacancies.

I get to meet and speak at length with the office-holders because of my position.  Last weekend was a blast!  We had our 77th annual Mohave County GOP Picnic, and our room at the lodge was next to Sonny Borrelli's and our long-time friend who's a County Supervisor.  At the Picnic, I had a chance to chew the fat with Paul Gosar and the candidates for Governor, AG and Secretary of State. 

 

I very much appreciate what you and @Slip18 are doing. (I very much wanted to say "Been there, done that" but resisted the urge.  LOL!) 

I very likely will continue to vote only in republican primaries but my mission now is to convince people that they should not necessarily vote for the person who can spend the most $$$ in those races. (Most often there is a reason that guy has all that money, and it isn't because he represents you.)

 My own $$$ will go only to candidates I personally chose.  None will go to any party apparatus.

[Cyber Liberty]

I very much appreciate what you and @Slip18 are doing. (I very much wanted to say "Been there, done that" but resisted the urge.  LOL!) 

I very likely will continue to vote only in republican primaries but my mission now is to convince people that they should not necessarily vote for the person who can spend the most $$$ in those races. (Most often there is a reason that guy has all that money, and it isn't because he represents you.)

 My own $$$ will go only to candidates I personally chose.  None will go to any party apparatus.

I didn't either, until I hooked up with the GOP in my new County.  I'll still never give cash to either the RNC, or even the AZ GOP (and I'm a Member of their Executive Committee).

[Millee]

I was always on the right. When I was four mom hid me in the back of our station wagon to catch the person who kept tearing our Goldwater stickers off the bumper.

Got myself thrown out of Jr High social circles 'cause I was the only guy defending Richard Nixon. Wore a suit and tie to work all eight years of the Reagan administration.

Today, after 5 decades of betrayal, I utterly despise the Republican party.

And they've earned that scorn.

[Slide Rule]

Try the left for a week or a month. Join, attend meetings and report back.

It would seem that identifying liars early would be a better alternative.

[txradioguy]

How do you identify politically? Were you ever aligned with the other side? If you have changed your political convictions, what was instrumental in that change? Did you have an epiphany? Did your life circumstances change? Did your values change? What are the chances you'll ever return to your original political stance?

Reagan Republican then now and forever.  And nothing will ever get me to change that.

[Elderberry]

I have been a Republican since my first time voting, for the re-election of Nixon in 72. And I'm constantly hounded, as I always vote, no mater if its for the school board, or a runoff for dog catcher.

[roamer_1]

NOPE. No flip. I have been a Conservative all my life, because that is what bears fruit.

I DESPISE big government, and always will. But I don't want to do anarchy. That pretty well only leaves one slot.

Republican vs. Democrat is the wrong argument - They are two sides of the same coin.

[jmyrlefuller]

How do you identify politically? Were you ever aligned with the other side? If you have changed your political convictions, what was instrumental in that change? Did you have an epiphany? Did your life circumstances change? Did your values change? What are the chances you'll ever return to your original political stance?

I'm a proud registered independent—meaning my political positions don't change because those of the political parties in power change.

I've always considered myself conservative, especially on the fiscal side. I grew up—well, I won't say poor, but definitely working-class—and when you live in a big-government state, everyone gets the shaft. There were a few instances in my childhood where I developed a very strong distrust of Big Government and the importance of managing scarce resources (something Big Government has no grasp of). Nothing I've seen in the subsequent decades has convinced me that I'm wrong. Socially, a lot of my stances are driven by being a Christian, my distrust of government, and being what a lot of people today pejoratively call an "incel" in that I have been unable to find a female partner. I'm not going to go through my full manifesto here, though. I consider myself thankful that I lived in a time where I wasn't compelled to go to war.

My general opinion on political parties is that the Democrats are corrupt, the Republicans are incompetent, and Libertarians are clueless as to how to win elections. I believe the Constitution's text is firm and concrete.

My political positions have largely been the same ever since I, slowly, became politically aware as a teenager.

[libertybele]

Embarrassingly the first time I voted in my life, I voted for Carter. I have never voted DEM since.

I became involved in politics during 'W's campaign and also fought strongly at the time against illegal immigration. It was during 'W's second term that I realized he wasn't as conservative as I had thought and became determined NOT to vote for a candidate just because they have an 'R' next to their name.

I could not bring myself to vote for McCain so I voted IND.

I have been very distraught over the past election and especially over the actions of our SCOTUS.  I decided that I didn't want to be affiliated with the GOP, and of course not the DEMS, so I no longer have any political affiliation.

I consider myself a conservative period.