Can you change?

[CRedskinsRule]

This is not so much a political dialogue as a philosophical question. My question is this: What would make you change your political ideas. For the most part we all know the basic political fundamentals that everyone else here holds. Saden loves Lord Obama, TTE has his shelter ready, JTF holds all that is republican as pure evil, etc. I grew up solidly Republican, no real doubts in my mind. And all the discussions here basically involving dialogue of some sort that covers the spectrum of views.

BUT what would it take for you to have a ground shift and turn away from your current bent. As an example, for me, after the Republicans won control of both houses and the presidency, I expected to see fiscal restraint, but instead just saw the pork go elsewhere. I haven't really believed the Republican party since then, but I also haven't become a Democrat or really shifted my basic ideology from when I was a teen. I would say I am more understanding of the liberal view, but I could never see life from a "liberal" perspective.

So what could make someone, change their perspective completely? Could it even happen? Could Saden reject Obama and embrace Republican values? What would it take for TTE to become a strong supporter of Big Government? JTF, without sarcasm, what would have to happen for you to believe in Big Business.

Basically, can we change or at what point does deep fundamental change become nearly impossible?

[joethiesmanfan]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

This is not so much a political dialogue as a philosophical question. My question is this: What would make you change your political ideas. For the most part we all know the basic political fundamentals that everyone else here holds. Saden loves Lord Obama, TTE has his shelter ready, JTF holds all that is republican as pure evil, etc. I grew up solidly Republican, no real doubts in my mind. And all the discussions here basically involving dialogue of some sort that covers the spectrum of views.

BUT what would it take for you to have a ground shift and turn away from your current bent. As an example, for me, after the Republicans won control of both houses and the presidency, I expected to see fiscal restraint, but instead just saw the pork go elsewhere. I haven't really believed the Republican party since then, but I also haven't become a Democrat or really shifted my basic ideology from when I was a teen. I would say I am more understanding of the liberal view, but I could never see life from a "liberal" perspective.

So what could make someone, change their perspective completely? Could it even happen? Could Saden reject Obama and embrace Republican values? What would it take for TTE to become a strong supporter of Big Government? JTF, without sarcasm, what would have to happen for you to believe in Big Business.

Basically, can we change or at what point does deep fundamental change become nearly impossible?

Well if the Republicans can make South Carolina a better place then
I would believe what they say. South Carolina is pure Republican through and through and have had the worst edcuation, economic , and health conditons of all 50 states for a long while now. When does the low taxes start to create jobs? We are 35 years and counting, waiting on these jobs. The philosophy sounds good but does not work. Bye bye Republicans, hello Tea Party. They would be easy to confuse and deride. LOL!!! Come on Rand, try to implement your radical philosophy so I can laugh.

[saden1]

I have Republican values, I just don't like Republicans. I grew up in a household that voted for Tom Davis (R-VA-11) year-in-year out but I just don't see Republicans like him. To me the GOP has lost practicality altogether and sound policy ideas. They have these grand ideas about cutting spending and reducing the deficits all the while cutting taxes. I can never in good conscious support people with those policies. The only way I will ever vote Republican is if there is the kind of flip there was in the 60's or a shift to more practical policies on their part (i.e. support for direct lending to students by the gov instead of middlemen banks). Oh and of course if Lord Obama changes his party affiliation to GOP, I'm going GOP like BOB.


People who think simply having less government is a good public policy don't deserve to run the government.

[Beemnseven]

I know I've changed my political viewpoints from when I was a teenager in high school. Back then I was against flag burning, against drug legalization, buy American-made products only, and pretty much pro-war whenever war broke out.

Today, I'm completely the opposite on all those issues. For me, I changed those viewpoints after spending more time studying the issue -- thinking about it deeper than I had before. Generally, my instinctive, knee-jerk type reactions are those that I later change my mind about.

I think it was Bertrand Russell who said, "the whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are so sure of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubt."

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I think it was Bertrand Russell who said, "the whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are so sure of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubt."

I love that quote.

[Trample the Elderly]

I have changed. When I was fourteen I thought we should have national health care. Then I got a job and found out that none of this stuff was free. Just because you get a middle man to steal for you (the government), doesn't mean you're not a effing thief. I don't care if you're a poor old person or some starving child, eat cat food and die. There's no magic money tree at the Federal Reserve.

[mredskins]

I have seen folks switch and normally it is from Dem to Rep. I think the Dem party lends more to the younger generations where the GOP favors older generations.

Just my two cents.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by mredskins

I have seen folks switch and normally it is from Dem to Rep. I think the Dem party lends more to the younger generations where the GOP favors older generations.

Just my two cents.

That made me think of this quote attributed (some think incorrectly) to Winston Churchill -
"If you're not liberal when you're young, you have no heart. If you're not conservative when you're older, you have no brain."

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

That made me think of this quote attributed (some think incorrectly) to Winston Churchill -
"If you're not liberal when you're young, you have no heart. If you're not conservative when you're older, you have no brain."

ha.. I was going to post this in response to something the other day but was on my phone and was like eff it

I think that it's somewhat true.. or at least seems to happen quite a bit

I think that after awhile a lot of people lose sight of actual politics and certainly progressive politics.. as the world gets crazier they remember their own conservative times when things were simpler and in turn want that in their government as well

[budw38]

I do not have too much time at the moment . 1st , happy 4th to all of you . I have never donated money to either party , I just want both to do what is right and what benefits ..... 1) those who are productive , 2) those who NEED help , 3) for both parties to stop finger pointing and blaming each other all of the time . Happy 4th ladies and Gent's .

[Schneed10]

A change in the tax bracket in which you're categorized. Get a big raise? You're more likely to see the republican point of view. Get laid off? You're more likely to see the democrats point of view. They say you never understand until you walk a mile in a man's shoes. If your financial situation in life changes, chances are you'll feel differently about a lot of things.

But for me, I consider myself an independent thinker. I will examine each situation independently, consider all viewpoints, and come up with my own conclusions. In this way, I don't consider myself either a democrat or republican; I'm a fan of whichever side has the right answer on a particular issue. This leads me to like republicans on some things, but democrats on others.

However the fundamental premises upon which I base my thinking mostly line up with the republican side (because I actually understand economics). Things like lower taxes, smaller government, pro business, etc. I don't see those things ever changing. However, if the Democrats do things that are pro business, I gladly support it.

I liked the bank bailouts. I liked the Wall Street bailouts.

So some things won't ever change, especially the fact that I'll always think independently and will never join a team, aligning myself with one party on all issues. I'll surely vote democrat when the candidate and the issues call for it, and I'll vote republican plenty of times as well.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

A change in the tax bracket in which you're categorized. Get a big raise? You're more likely to see the republican point of view. Get laid off? You're more likely to see the democrats point of view. They say you never understand until you walk a mile in a man's shoes. If your financial situation in life changes, chances are you'll feel differently about a lot of things.

But for me, I consider myself an independent thinker. I will examine each situation independently, consider all viewpoints, and come up with my own conclusions. In this way, I don't consider myself either a democrat or republican; I'm a fan of whichever side has the right answer on a particular issue. This leads me to like republicans on some things, but democrats on others.

However the fundamental premises upon which I base my thinking mostly line up with the republican side (because I actually understand economics). Things like lower taxes, smaller government, pro business, etc. I don't see those things ever changing. However, if the Democrats do things that are pro business, I gladly support it.

I liked the bank bailouts. I liked the Wall Street bailouts.

So some things won't ever change, especially the fact that I'll always think independently and will never join a team, aligning myself with one party on all issues. I'll surely vote democrat when the candidate and the issues call for it, and I'll vote republican plenty of times as well.

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I've been registered independent since day 1. I've never identified myself with either party though I've gotta say I've never once voted Republican, but I would if the right candidate came along. At this point I don't see a huge difference between either of the parties. It's just one big cluster F.

These. Exactly how I feel.

[MTK]

I've been registered independent since day 1. I've never identified myself with either party though I've gotta say I've never once voted Republican, but I would if the right candidate came along. At this point I don't see a huge difference between either of the parties. It's just one big cluster F.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I've been registered independent since day 1. I've never identified myself with either party though I've gotta say I've never once voted Republican, but I would if the right candidate came along. At this point I don't see a huge difference between either of the parties. It's just one big cluster F.

I've voted Republican at the state level but never for the federal executive branch.

Most of my ideas run a bit right personally but I try to think of others when making bigger decisions such as who should run the country, not who would benefit just me. Our country needs plenty of help and it seems like the Dems are more willing to offer it whereas the Republicans don't seem to care as much. I know that there's partisan bickering on everything but it also seems like the Republicans won't give ANYTHING a chance and will bitch about it without having their own idea of how something should be done. I don't get as much of the play-by-play from Congress now that I don't watch C-Span much anymore though.

[saden1]

I just want to put out there that Independent learners are just as partisan as Republicans and Democrats. They tend to always vote for Republicans or Democrats just like those that identify with a party. If you're not a pure independent or a vote-splitter you're not really an independent.

I get it if you just want to be able to vote in primaries in both parties though. Keep it real, enjoy your Independence Day meals.