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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: George on June 25, 2009, 08:24:58 PM

Title: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: George on June 25, 2009, 08:24:58 PM
I was wondering if anyone here was once a liberal. What made you leave liberalism?
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: briann on June 25, 2009, 08:27:00 PM
Sorta.  In high school... we were brainwashed over and over to think that if you were Pro-Life... then you were a caveman.  I honestsly held this belief until my mid-20s.

Also... I didnt see the important of lassez-faire government until then as well.

Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: דוד בן זאב אריה on June 25, 2009, 08:50:51 PM
I was until I was 19. The Anti Israel settament in the Democratic party made me change my mind. Talk Radio and Sean Hannity had a lot to with my change
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: GoIsraelGo! on June 25, 2009, 08:53:15 PM
I was never a liberal. I was raised conservative.

There was a time when I thought Hippies looked really cool and had it all together, but I was really young and had no idea about their beliefs of free love, anti war etc.

I remember one trip to Los Angeles when I was 10 years old. I saw a huge group of Hippies and I said to my Mom and Dad
" look at the Hippies ! " my dad's response was " those are dirty lazy anti war Hippies. "
My father also told me there would be hell to pay if I ever became one.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: דוד בן זאב אריה on June 25, 2009, 08:58:28 PM
Dox you were raised with an advantage
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Lisa on June 25, 2009, 09:02:50 PM
I used to be somewhat liberal.  In my college days, I was very pro choice.  And I used to vote Democrat.  However, I began this shift to the right in my early thirties.  I credit Chaim with that (along with Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged.")  I remember sitting in my apartment one night bored.  I was flipping through the channels when I found Chaim on public television.  I was riveted there and then. 
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: muman613 on June 25, 2009, 09:06:24 PM
When I was young and stupid I was a Democrat and a Deadhead... I started my Teshuva about seven years ago and am a hard rightwinger now...
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: IsraeliGovtAreKapos on June 25, 2009, 09:07:18 PM
בס"ד
Sadly, yup, in middle school.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Angry Panther on June 25, 2009, 09:09:21 PM
no
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: GoIsraelGo! on June 25, 2009, 09:12:04 PM
Dox you were raised with an advantage

Yes, I had loving Jewish parents that drove me crazy. Honestly no words can describe the gratitude I have for my parents now.
If my Parents had not been strict, G-d only knows what I would have been today. I shudder to think it.


                                                              Thanks and Shalom  


                                                                        Dox
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: George on June 25, 2009, 09:21:43 PM
I knew it. So far most of you were liberals. I was always a conservative and so was every Jewish member of my family. My hatred for Blacks and other assorted third world jungle animals reinforced my opposition for liberals.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: JewishAmericanPatriot on June 25, 2009, 09:43:16 PM
My parents (obm) were both (FDR) Roosevelt Democrats (like most Jews of their generation). My father, however, was militantly against abortion due to something from his childhood.

I became a conservative as a teenager, and never looked back (this was the 1970s, and when I turned 18 and registered Republican, my father turned white as a ghost...you'd think I'd just converted to Christianity, lol!)

Back then, the only Jews who were Republicans, it seemed, were business owners. In fact, in the 70s the only Jewish Republican I knew was my committeeman, who owned an auto body shop. Then I met another, the father of a friend, who owned a dress company. But that was it.

Now, it seems as if ALL the Jews I know are Republicans, both rich and poor! :dance:
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Mishmaat on June 25, 2009, 09:47:43 PM
My situation is very unique. My father is very conservative and my mother is a liberal. My perspective on life though was largely shaped not by my upbringing, but by life experiences. I'd rather not get into specifics. I once held liberal views on a whole host of issues, but I've changed over time. I'm still "liberal" on racial issues. (I, personally, think that it's utterly irrelevant.) On all other issues, I'm a libertarian.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: ProudAndZionist on June 25, 2009, 09:52:41 PM
I was never a liberal. I was raised conservative.

There was a time when I thought Hippies looked really cool and had it all together, but I was really young and had no idea about their beliefs of free love, anti war etc.

I remember one trip to Los Angeles when I was 10 years old. I saw a huge group of Hippies and I said to my Mom and Dad
" look at the Hippies ! " my dad's response was " those are dirty lazy anti war Hippies. "
My father also told me there would be hell to pay if I ever became one.


Same with me. Since I learned read I said "Eye for eye".
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: GoIsraelGo! on June 25, 2009, 10:01:42 PM
JewishPatriot, my parents were also Jewish Democrats but they were conservative, the democrats now are actually communists hiding behind the Democrat name.

Your story was nice to read and it reminded me of my parents and family.



                                                                         Shalom - Dox
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: eb22 on June 25, 2009, 10:08:53 PM
I was never a Liberal.     My Father was a Conservative.     He had a huge influence on me.     He gave many financial contributions to the Republican Party,    NRA,    and to many Republican candidates in general.    He especially liked Barry Goldwater,    Ronald Reagan,  and Jesse Helms.       My Father strongly opposed Liberalism.     He knew the dangers of what George McGovern,    Ted Kennedy,   and Jimmy Carter caused.        I'm convinced that my Father envisioned that an Affirmative Action individual would eventually end up President.        Listening to Chaim the last 17 months has brought back many memories of my Father.    
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: angryChineseKahanist on June 25, 2009, 10:46:36 PM
I was wondering if anyone here was once a liberal. What made you leave liberalism?


N199er Lyncher,  they tried to make me think that way when I was in high school.
All we ever heard was AIDS and child-birth prevention.

Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Serbian Canadian on June 25, 2009, 10:53:25 PM
Yes. Until recently. I guess growing up in a liberal country, going to a public school where most of the staff are democrats/liberals can have an effect on you.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: muman613 on June 25, 2009, 10:53:48 PM
I was never a Liberal.     My Father was a Conservative.     He had a huge influence on me.     He gave many financial contributions to the Republican Party,    NRA,    and to many Republican candidates in general.    He especially liked Barry Goldwater,    Ronald Reagan,  and Jesse Helms.       My Father strongly opposed Liberalism.     He knew the dangers of what George McGovern,    Ted Kennedy,   and Jimmy Carter caused.        I'm convinced that my Father envisioned that an Affirmative Action individual would eventually end up President.        Listening to Chaim the last 17 months has brought back many memories of my Father.    

Im from a mixed political family... My dad was a dyed in the wool Republican Rightwinger who still supports Nixon to this day. He was always a conservative since I was a baby, and still is a conservative in his mid 70s. My mom on the other hand was always the optimist democrat who believed social programs were beneficial to our society. I grew up mostly with my mom and when I left highschool I was unsure of my leanings.

My first presidential election, in 1984, I voted for Reagan. In 88 I voted for Bush... But something happened around 1989-1990 and I ended up swinging to the left. That is when I got into the Dead and partying and all kinds of bad stuff. I have always been honest about my past, and I am not proud of it... But my experience can only be called enlightening and I have much material for a biography. I don't know what would have happened to me if not for my life-changing events.

These events were: My brothers tragic death in 9/11 and the realization that the world is not all peace and love, Losing my job which supported my move to North California, during the bursting of the internet bubble in 2002, and the divorce from my wife of 10 years. These events changed my life in the most awesome way. Now I am back to the right-wing, faithful and trusting in Hashem, muman being I was from my conception.

Thats my story, and I'm sticking to it...

 
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: angryChineseKahanist on June 25, 2009, 10:54:51 PM
JewishPatriot, my parents were also Jewish Democrats but they were conservative, the democrats now are actually communists hiding behind the Democrat name.

Your story was nice to read and it reminded me of my parents and family.



                                                                         Shalom - Dox

Reagan was a Conservative Democrat.
Now we get Osama, a communist/socialist.




(http://www.geschichteinchronologie.ch/eu/ch/nebelspalter-Hitler-Stalin/1934/1934-11-hakenkreuz-und-hammer-sichel-im-gleichschritt.JPG)
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: muman613 on June 25, 2009, 11:01:47 PM
JewishPatriot, my parents were also Jewish Democrats but they were conservative, the democrats now are actually communists hiding behind the Democrat name.

Your story was nice to read and it reminded me of my parents and family.



                                                                         Shalom - Dox

Reagan was a Conservative Democrat.
Now we get Osama, a communist/socialist.




(http://www.geschichteinchronologie.ch/eu/ch/nebelspalter-Hitler-Stalin/1934/1934-11-hakenkreuz-und-hammer-sichel-im-gleichschritt.JPG)


I don't want to argue about Reagan, but what the heck do you mean a Conservative Democrat?

Reagan did the best to save this country from the USSR who was waging a cold war against us. I think he was brilliant and if Mondale had won in 84 this country would have been toast a long time ago.

I realize that Reagan was not the best friend of Israel. But he was damn good, and it was important to defeat the democrats at that time. I also think that his investment in missile shield technology was awesome. I have worked in the defense industry and I remember that there were many good paying jobs for software engineers in Los Angeles {where I lived from 84-89}.

Reagan was conservative, he didn't raise taxes much. He reduced spending on non-essential programs. He invested in the military. He didn't back down in international conflicts. He was a cowboy, and he played one in the movies...

Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: GoIsraelGo! on June 25, 2009, 11:09:38 PM
Sorry Muman that you had to go through all those trauma's.

We all have trauma's in our life and I believe we become stronger
each time we get through the rough times.

I hope that things are much better for you now.


                               Shalom & G-d Bless you.

                                          Dox
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: muman613 on June 25, 2009, 11:19:39 PM
Sorry Muman that you had to go through all those trauma's.

We all have trauma's in our life and I believe we become stronger
each time we get through the rough times.

I hope that things are much better for you now.


                               Shalom & G-d Bless you.

                                          Dox

It is always a struggle. But at least I am still working during this downturn, and my job seems stable and my company is still strong. I face each test as it comes.

Thank you very much. I hope all is well and there is peace in your home.

muman613
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: briann on June 26, 2009, 01:17:03 AM
My situation is very unique. My father is very conservative and my mother is a liberal. My perspective on life though was largely shaped not by my upbringing, but by life experiences. I'd rather not get into specifics. I once held liberal views on a whole host of issues, but I've changed over time. I'm still "liberal" on racial issues. (I, personally, think that it's utterly irrelevant.) On all other issues, I'm a libertarian.

Thats not that unique... its quite common.  My Dad is very far to the left... almost too far.  And my mom is Ultra-left wing how-dare-you-tell-me-what-I-can-do-with-my-body 'progressive'   Both are fairly secular.  But again.. in California... you are considered an ignorant caveman if you veer to the right.

But there is a saying.

If you are under 30 and you are a conservative... you dont have a heart....

But if you are over 30 and are a liberal.... you dont have a brain.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: ✡ Hindu Zionist ॐ on June 26, 2009, 03:28:54 AM
i was secular till the age of 15, i had many muslim friends that time. And i still do remember them telling me about Darul-Islam and Darul-harb.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Cato on June 26, 2009, 03:36:03 AM
But there is a saying.

If you are under 30 and you are a conservative... you dont have a heart....

But if you are over 30 and are a liberal.... you dont have a brain.
Oscar Wilde
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Hyades on June 26, 2009, 03:39:20 AM
Yes, I was. But studying the Quran and learning about Islam itself, reading the Hadiths and looking behind the veil the international media hangs above all critic topics, I started to open my eyes.
Two years in Brazil, where the media have very open and non-censured news and opinions about the developments in Europe and the US as well as news about the Middle East are not put anti-Israel, helped me even more to look behind the scenes.
I think liberalism is indoctrinated by teachers who studied in the 60's and 70's. I quarreled a lot with my father and grand father for being liberal. Today I know they were right when they said "being liberal is to give oneself up for the sake of others who will abuse your liberal position to kick you for your lifetime"...
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Dr. Dan on June 26, 2009, 07:32:46 AM
Used to be sympathetic to certain liberal issues. Now I'm less sympathetic to them
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Zelhar on June 26, 2009, 08:06:32 AM
I consider myself liberal. I believe in personal freedom and oppose nearly anything that limits it. I don't think Jimmi Carter and Ted Kennedy are liberals, they are hypocrats.

When I was young and a bit more naive, I was crooked by the scums Rabin and Peres to support their so called peace process. On matters of principles I pretty much believed in what I still believe in now, except I turned much more Islamo-skeptic.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: nessuno on June 26, 2009, 08:25:12 AM
No.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: mord on June 26, 2009, 10:15:58 AM
No
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: AsheDina on June 26, 2009, 10:23:38 AM
NO. We were demoncats, but liberal?? NO!!!
I hated how the kids acted when I was 16. I was already involved in politics in my early 20's.
I always had a natural repulsion for EVIL.  I HATE EVIL TO THE MAX.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: ~Hanna~ on June 26, 2009, 10:28:24 AM
I will never say.... :::D

Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: angryChineseKahanist on June 26, 2009, 01:37:07 PM
wasn't liberal someone who simply wants to live in his own and only asks to be left alone?
Today's "liberals" are communists and socialists.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: angryChineseKahanist on June 26, 2009, 01:39:34 PM
JewishPatriot, my parents were also Jewish Democrats but they were conservative, the democrats now are actually communists hiding behind the Democrat name.

Your story was nice to read and it reminded me of my parents and family.



                                    Shalom - Dox

Reagan was a Conservative Democrat.
Now we get Osama, a communist/socialist.




(http://www.geschichteinchronologie.ch/eu/ch/nebelspalter-Hitler-Stalin/1934/1934-11-hakenkreuz-und-hammer-sichel-im-gleichschritt.JPG)


I don't want to argue about Reagan, but what the heck do you mean a Conservative Democrat?




That's what he was, a conservative democrat.
He became republican later in life.
He didn't change, the democrats became communists and left him.
Didn't he say that he didn't leave the democrat party that his party left him?
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: AsheDina on June 26, 2009, 02:33:36 PM
conservative dem is like a blue dog dem
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Ulli on June 26, 2009, 02:46:58 PM
I am a liberal! Proud and convinced.

Long live Milton Friedman and Friedrich August von Hayek!
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Ulli on June 26, 2009, 02:50:56 PM
I consider myself liberal. I believe in personal freedom and oppose nearly anything that limits it. I don't think Jimmi Carter and Ted Kennedy are liberals, they are hypocrats.

When I was young and a bit more naive, I was crooked by the scums Rabin and Peres to support their so called peace process. On matters of principles I pretty much believed in what I still believe in now, except I turned much more Islamo-skeptic.


You are right. Jimmi Carter is a soldier of fortune for the quranimals and Ted Kennedy is a Socialist.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: eb22 on June 26, 2009, 04:51:02 PM
I was never a Liberal.     My Father was a Conservative.     He had a huge influence on me.     He gave many financial contributions to the Republican Party,    NRA,    and to many Republican candidates in general.    He especially liked Barry Goldwater,    Ronald Reagan,  and Jesse Helms.       My Father strongly opposed Liberalism.     He knew the dangers of what George McGovern,    Ted Kennedy,   and Jimmy Carter caused.        I'm convinced that my Father envisioned that an Affirmative Action individual would eventually end up President.        Listening to Chaim the last 17 months has brought back many memories of my Father.    

Im from a mixed political family... My dad was a dyed in the wool Republican Rightwinger who still supports Nixon to this day. He was always a conservative since I was a baby, and still is a conservative in his mid 70s. My mom on the other hand was always the optimist democrat who believed social programs were beneficial to our society. I grew up mostly with my mom and when I left highschool I was unsure of my leanings.

My first presidential election, in 1984, I voted for Reagan. In 88 I voted for Bush... But something happened around 1989-1990 and I ended up swinging to the left. That is when I got into the Dead and partying and all kinds of bad stuff. I have always been honest about my past, and I am not proud of it... But my experience can only be called enlightening and I have much material for a biography. I don't know what would have happened to me if not for my life-changing events.

These events were: My brothers tragic death in 9/11 and the realization that the world is not all peace and love, Losing my job which supported my move to North California, during the bursting of the internet bubble in 2002, and the divorce from my wife of 10 years. These events changed my life in the most awesome way. Now I am back to the right-wing, faithful and trusting in Hashem, muman being I was from my conception.

Thats my story, and I'm sticking to it...

 


While I'm very sorry that you went through some extremely difficult times,      you are a great example of someone overcoming adversity and making your life better than ever.      I certainly appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts with us,   as what you mentioned could make difference for other people.      Hopefully,   only the best of times are ahead for you,   your family,   and the same with all the JTF members ( and all people  ) who are making a difference in order to make this a better world.


My Dad voted for Richard Nixon the 3 times he was the Republican Nominee for President.    And he urged others to vote for Nixon.     The impression I had though is his support for Nixon was more about his concern about the extreme amount of damage the  Kennedys,   Hubert Humphrey,       George McGovern,   and Jimmy Carter could cause.        On the other hand,    my father was pro- Barry Goldwater,   Ronald Reagan,  and Jesse Helms as much as he was against the Democrats I listed and the "  Democrat"  Party in general.     He basically felt that the Ted Kennedy types would in essence turn the United States over to the Soviet Union.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Manch on June 26, 2009, 05:04:45 PM
I was never a liberal - I was much more conservative, since I remember myself, than my parents, who, by the way, are conservative as well. I always thought of liberalism as some kind of weakness.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Moshe92 on June 26, 2009, 06:41:02 PM
I've never been a liberal, but I haven't been a Kahanist until this past year.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: TruthSpreader on June 28, 2009, 09:39:10 AM
No, Never.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: sonja_yu on June 28, 2009, 03:02:17 PM
Not exactly a Liberal, but something akin.
I believed in some stupid, fake people, but...... I was too young... I should be forgiven, LOL.
Anyway, I never really felt like one of them, I have always been a patriot, somewhere deep inside me.
I think this was a very good question and good idea for a topic to start.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: ag337 on June 28, 2009, 08:37:07 PM
Plain and simple answer is NO........
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: briann on June 28, 2009, 08:47:35 PM
I am a liberal! Proud and convinced.

Long live Milton Friedman and Friedrich August von Hayek!

Liberals hate Friedman.  They are Keyensian's through and through.  You are thinking of Libertarians.  Liberals havent been anything remotely close to economic libertarians for at least 100 years.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Xoce on June 28, 2009, 08:48:19 PM
No.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: landline on June 30, 2009, 07:01:23 AM
Yes. I admit to everyone on this board that I was a leftist and patrician Democrat up until 9-11.   :o :o
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Ulli on June 30, 2009, 07:54:30 AM
I am a liberal! Proud and convinced.

Long live Milton Friedman and Friedrich August von Hayek!

Liberals hate Friedman.  They are Keyensian's through and through.  You are thinking of Libertarians.  Liberals havent been anything remotely close to economic libertarians for at least 100 years.


Brian, I think Liberal means in America "Socialist" and in Europe "Libertarian".  :::D
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: GoIsraelGo! on June 30, 2009, 11:46:01 AM
Hello Ulli, here at home in the United States the liberals have turned into the worst radicals.
The Liberals are attempting to hide behind the democrat name, but it is painfully obvious
that these ( so called democrats ) are actually communists.

Their obvious agenda gives validity to my claim that they are communists.

P.S. I hate obama's guts!



                                           Shalom & G-d Bless you!


                                                       Dox
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Cato on June 30, 2009, 11:51:27 AM
No
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: MasterWolf1 on June 30, 2009, 12:19:57 PM
No, never.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: RanterMaximus on June 30, 2009, 07:07:05 PM
I tried once in the attempt to impress a girl.  Then when I really go to know her I realized she was too wacky and moved on.
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: ~Hanna~ on June 30, 2009, 07:45:37 PM
At least I am not the only one...it was my dad that did it though...

I did get slammed against walls alot though... :laugh:

My mom slammed my brother into the wall once, then kept hitting him up and down his back as he was running into his room and diving onto his bed.  This was for slamming a door.  (Lots of slamming going on.)  We had so much fun re-enacting this.  Once we even re-enacted it for Mom, who denied that she did it--to which my brother replied, "I know I hit a wall."
Title: Re: Were you ever a Liberal?
Post by: Electra on June 30, 2009, 10:29:27 PM
I was raised conservative. I was also raised one part in Serbia and one part in England.

With that, I was always thout up most respect for elders, my own or otherwise, never to talk back or be obnoxious spoiled brat. That was punishable.
And I liked it that way.

At University I begun reading extesnivelly about Islam and became so enraged with it, that at one point I had no idea what to do with myself. On other things I was a liberal at Uni.

As I finished University and my MA I started to shift more and more, since liberalism, literally made no sense to me at one point. Nothing about it seemed rational.