Return to “What were your political leanings at 18 years old?”
crazy2medic wrote: ↑Thu Sep 19, 2019 3:59 pmWhen she was sober!Redneck_Buddha wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:26 pmBut she was one tough grandma!crazy2medic wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 11:48 am Ann Richards only got one term, she vetoed the first CHL bill and lost her reelection bid! She admitted that vetoing that bill cost her a second term!
Things have definitely gone off the rails. I had deer hunting buddies who liked Bill Clinton. I don't know that I considered them liberals in the same category as a liberal these days. Democrats have gone so far left that they now don't mind being called liberals and some even take pride in the socialist label. Democrats back then were not so anti American and American values. Democrats were also not anti christian like they are now. I agree that the parties are much more divided than they ever were.flintknapper wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 3:47 pm^^^^^^03Lightningrocks wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 1:41 pmMy family is originally all from Kentucky and Georgia. Before Jimmy Carter, most of them did vote Democrat. Even though conservative Democrats were more liberal than Republicans, they would never have described themselves as liberals. I also know that most of them were working class, hourly worker types from the manufacturing sectors who believed the Democrats were looking out for them while the Republicans were looking out for the big companies they all worked for. Unions had a huge influence on their thinking as well. Once the manufacturing jobs started going away, as well as after 4 years of Jimmy Carter, many of them (my relatives) started shifting to the Republican party.
Growing up (I am 65 so this goes back a ways) the above pretty much describes what I always thought the basic differences were between the two parties. Republicans tended to be a bit more affluent....but definitely more in tune with the interests of Big Business. Also, somewhat more conservative, but Democrats for the most part were also conservatives. Perhaps more middle class with interests aligned toward the common working man. Good, decent people....all. Political affiliation wasn't something anyone even spoke about.
Very different these days. There is very much a divide and if you ask me...a 'culture war' that has been in place for at least a couple of decades now.
My family is originally all from Kentucky and Georgia. Before Jimmy Carter, most of them did vote Democrat. Even though conservative Democrats were more liberal than Republicans, they would never have described themselves as liberals. I also know that most of them were working class, hourly worker types from the manufacturing sectors who believed the Democrats were looking out for them while the Republicans were looking out for the big companies they all worked for. Unions had a huge influence on their thinking as well. Once the manufacturing jobs started going away, as well as after 4 years of Jimmy Carter, many of them (my relatives) started shifting to the Republican party.
LOL... I was too young to vote when he got elected but I still remember my mom and step dad crying in the living room while cursing the unions who forced their member to vote for him. During the next four years I understood the reason for their tears. He was one of the reasons I voted Reagan.
Yep. That is why they are listed as separate options in the poll. I don't remember a libertarian party when I was 18-22 but maybe it was around and just very unknown. My memory is only of Democrat or Republican. Even at that age I was not for government handouts and saw the Democrat party as the party of free cheese. I had the attitude that one should work for what they want. My thinking then was not very complex....LOL.Nuts wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 6:17 pm Libertarian and liberal are two different things.
The Libertarian Party (LP) is a political party in the United States that promotes civil liberties, non-interventionism, laissez-faire capitalism and shrinking the size and scope of government
I’m still a libertarian
It is funny that Reagan has been mentioned several times already. I do think he was instrumental in shaping the conservative thinking for many of us who lived as young adults during his time.Grayling813 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:40 pm There should be another category: Stupid and immature - which is where my political views were rooted at 18. Voted Democrat without a clue as to why. Then I matured and realized how stupid it was to believe the Democrat platform. Although I voted Democrat I would say that I was definitely not a Liberal (Democrat). It was Pres. Reagan who was instrumental in bringing me out of political darkness.
It let me add it. Thanks for the heads up. That would be cool to know as well.03Lightningrocks wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:14 pmLOL... I did not think of that one. I was so excited to get to vote, I forgot that not all 18 year olds voted. Maybe I can add it.
LOL... I did not think of that one. I was so excited to get to vote, I forgot that not all 18 year olds voted. Maybe I can add it.
Maybe Reagan being a convert himself made it more palatable for them. 
