Bumped into a high school friend for the first time in 30 years.

[modrepub]

11. College?

That seems to be the step that separates a lot of the folks I know from High School and my particular political beliefs.

I've often pondered this myself. I really have no answer to it. But some of it (I swear) has to do with some sense that you aren't getting what you were "promised" as you came of age. The folks who feel they've been left out of a good paying and secure job or a well put together family seem to be angry. The right-wing boogeyman (bleeding-heart communist liberal/Jew/affirmative-action supported minority/femanazi/drag queen/whatever the next flavor fall person is) comes into play here. It's not your fault, someone else stole what was rightfully yours.

This whole attitude seems to fly in the face of the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mantra presented by Republicans. It's always somebody else that caused your problem, never the choices you made. And I will say being in a constant state of anger isn't healthy. Better to walk away from these people and not engage. Life is too short.