I just realized I've wasted 20 years of my life

#1
Rasputin_Vol

Rasputin_Vol

"Slava Ukraina"
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#1
2 events happened in 1992 that moved me from being a 19 year old Democrat, to a cynic, to someone that began to eventually gravitate towards the GOP.

The riots in LA, where I can remember the guys on the floor of my dorm laughing and cutting up as they were listening to Rush Limbaugh comment on the riots. He said something that resonated with me.. that the people were burning down their own community.

Next, it was Ross Perot's visit to the NAACP where he made the infamous "you people" comment. I wondered why the big deal was made of the comment. At that point, I realized that the NAACP and most other black organization were not going to listen to any other message but the democratic message and would bend over backwards to destroy ANY voice that differed from that dogma.

At that point, I left the democratic plantation and began to really think about my political options. Over the next few years, I eventually listened to Rush and G. Gordon Liddy on talk radio along with other shows like that. They helped form most of my thought in my 20's because their message seemed to speak to my core (freedom, individual liberty, personal accountability).

By the time the 2000 elections came around, however, I began to waver on the GOP. I voted 3rd party in 2000 because I just wasn't too thrilled with W's tax plan (I didn't think it went far enough). By the end of the decade, I could say that I was to the right of W and most of the GOP base.

Now, after what I'm seeing in this election cycle, I've come to the same conclusion that I wavered on when I was 19-20 years old:

"None of these guys really have my best interests in mind..."


I should have stayed a cynic. :cray:
 
#4
#4
'Cynic' is a word that is derived from Greek and means 'dog like'.

From what you've written I deduce that I am 30 years your senior Rasputin, and can assure you I've been through all those stages and then some and I have come to the conclusion that being a cynic is not the place to be.

(I'll write more on this later when I have the time, I appreciate the from the heart post and wish we could have much more of that rather than posts that are meant to be witty but are only proof that the poster is a nitwit.)

I can't remember who is attributed with the following quote which I'm sure is paraphrased since I don't think I can remember it exactly; (probably not even close but I'll give it a try.)

"To trust too much is foolish,
to trust not at all is a tragedy."

(I'll try to research that, I didn't do it justice by any means.)
 
#6
#6
Rasputin_Vol said:
2 events happened in 1992 that moved me from being a 19 year old Democrat, to a cynic, to someone that began to eventually gravitate towards the GOP.

The riots in LA, where I can remember the guys on the floor of my dorm laughing and cutting up as they were listening to Rush Limbaugh comment on the riots. He said something that resonated with me.. that the people were burning down their own community.

Next, it was Ross Perot's visit to the NAACP where he made the infamous "you people" comment. I wondered why the big deal was made of the comment. At that point, I realized that the NAACP and most other black organization were not going to listen to any other message but the democratic message and would bend over backwards to destroy ANY voice that differed from that dogma.

At that point, I left the democratic plantation and began to really think about my political options. Over the next few years, I eventually listened to Rush and G. Gordon Liddy on talk radio along with other shows like that. They helped form most of my thought in my 20's because their message seemed to speak to my core (freedom, individual liberty, personal accountability).

By the time the 2000 elections came around, however, I began to waver on the GOP. I voted 3rd party in 2000 because I just wasn't too thrilled with W's tax plan (I didn't think it went far enough). By the end of the decade, I could say that I was to the right of W and most of the GOP base.

Now, after what I'm seeing in this election cycle, I've come to the same conclusion that I wavered on when I was 19-20 years old:

"None of these guys really have my best interests in mind..."


I should have stayed a cynic. :cray:
Click to expand...

I totally understand your frustration. I have similar feelings about politicians. As I've grown older, I've tried to focus my energies on charitabl and educational organizations as opposed to political involvement.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#7
#7
If you find yourself agreeing 100% with a certain candidate or a certain party, it means you aren't thinking.
 
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#8
#8
I'm in a transition period as well. I'm 28 and have, for the must part, been a hard core democrat for the last decade. But about a year ago it just dawned on me that I'm not really a liberal at all. In fact, I'm way closer to the opposite.

I think going through a bleeding-heart liberal phase is just part of growing for some though.
 
#10
#10
Cdywolfe said:
I'm in a transition period as well. I'm 28 and have, for the must part, been a hard core democrat for the last decade. But about a year ago it just dawned on me that I'm not really a liberal at all. In fact, I'm way closer to the opposite.

I think going through a bleeding-heart liberal phase is just part of growing for some though.
Click to expand...

Let me recommend three books, all recent releases.

Tea Party Patriots, the second American revolution.

Ameritopia.

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Presidents, from Wilson to Obama.

To make wise choices in the future we must first know our history, any of the books I listed will give most people a leg up.

As far as the political spectrum goes, about forty percent of Americans are conservative, about forty percent are moderate and only twenty percent are really liberal, the fact that liberals do so well is due to two political facts; their fanaticism and their ability to deceive a lot of moderates and a few conservatives.
 
#11
#11
Rasputin_Vol said:
2 events happened in 1992 that moved me from being a 19 year old Democrat, to a cynic, to someone that began to eventually gravitate towards the GOP.

The riots in LA, where I can remember the guys on the floor of my dorm laughing and cutting up as they were listening to Rush Limbaugh comment on the riots. He said something that resonated with me.. that the people were burning down their own community.

Next, it was Ross Perot's visit to the NAACP where he made the infamous "you people" comment. I wondered why the big deal was made of the comment. At that point, I realized that the NAACP and most other black organization were not going to listen to any other message but the democratic message and would bend over backwards to destroy ANY voice that differed from that dogma.

At that point, I left the democratic plantation and began to really think about my political options. Over the next few years, I eventually listened to Rush and G. Gordon Liddy on talk radio along with other shows like that. They helped form most of my thought in my 20's because their message seemed to speak to my core (freedom, individual liberty, personal accountability).

By the time the 2000 elections came around, however, I began to waver on the GOP. I voted 3rd party in 2000 because I just wasn't too thrilled with W's tax plan (I didn't think it went far enough). By the end of the decade, I could say that I was to the right of W and most of the GOP base.

Now, after what I'm seeing in this election cycle, I've come to the same conclusion that I wavered on when I was 19-20 years old:

"None of these guys really have my best interests in mind..."


I should have stayed a cynic. :cray:
Click to expand...

Maybe, as I have, you've realized what true politics is all about. Bill, dollar bill, y'all.
 
#12
#12
Cdywolfe said:
I'm in a transition period as well. I'm 28 and have, for the must part, been a hard core democrat for the last decade. But about a year ago it just dawned on me that I'm not really a liberal at all. In fact, I'm way closer to the opposite.

I think going through a bleeding-heart liberal phase is just part of growing for some though.
Click to expand...

Definitely. Most young people tend to be more liberal.
 
#13
#13
Slydell said:
Maybe, as I have, you've realized what true politics is all about. Bill, dollar bill, y'all.
Click to expand...

Truly is sad that the little green pieces of paper drive thought processes of, not only politicians, but most of the citizens of this country. Never satisfied, people will crush each other to get more.
 
#17
#17
I no longer consider myself "conservative" because the label has been hijacked by right leaning Republicans who are only conservative in certain areas. Sure they love the low taxes but too many are into being morality police and only seem to favor smaller government on areas they agree with.

I guess the best way to describe myself is Libertarian. I don't necessarily agree with everything of the "official" LP but let's face it, no one should agree 100% with any party. The libertarian philosophy is probably the closest I can relate to. The RNC has almost completely turned me off. I used to listen to the right wing talk radio guys for information, now it's mostly for entertainment. Sure I still agree with them on some things, but they are all Republican first. My final straw with them has been their treatment of Ron Paul. I'm not a Paulbot and I don't think you have to be in love with him, but some of these radio hosts go out of their way to trash him. All because he isnt ready to pound the war drum at a moment's notice.

And looking at the likely candiates, either Romney or Santorum, I want to gag.
 
#18
#18
VOLatile said:
I love being cynical. It makes things a lot more interesting.
Click to expand...

Some people think strange things to be interesting.

If you ever get into recovery, they will welcome you with open arms at butt sniffers anonymous.

Good luck. :)
 
#19
#19
Politicians aren't the answer.
The best govt is the least govt.
Anyone who thinks govt is going to solve our problems has a lot to learn.
 
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