I used to be a Conservative

[ck4829]

I have taken Political Compass tests and I rank far into the Left. But, there was a time when I was a very different person.

I used to be a Conservative Republican supporter. I opposed GLBT Rights, I thought Bill Clinton was immoral, I supported the Death Penalty, but I was originally not a George W. Bush supporter, I liked John McCain, but I still supported George W. Bush, I am just glad I wasn't of voting age at that time (Not that it would have made a difference)

The thing that was always there a catalyst that could provide for change was the fact that I didn't like the people leading the Christian Right.

Let me tell you what being a Conservative is like, if we want to change people. (I am willing to bet most people know all of these things already)
Conservatives are afraid of change
Conservatives don't fact check
Conservatives are called to change by calls of immorality
Conservatives believe that if it's in the news or on Rush Limbaugh, then it must true
Conservatives do not monitor the Government, unless it is filled with Democrats

I went through the beginning of Bush's term thinking I had a guy that was going to fight for me in the White House. Like many other people, my place in the Political Spectrum began to change starting on 9/11. That's right, 9/11. We have all these people who are saying that they became Neo-Cons because of 9/11. Well, I became a Liberal because of the exact same thing.

I started to fact check, I began to read things that said what Conservatives said about Bill Clinton might be a lie, and I started to monitor the government.

As all of this happened I started to become Liberal, I thought the Death Penalty was a bad idea, I supported GLBT Rights to the max, and I realized that the people who led the Republican Party were Racists, Bigots, and that they supported Terrorists and Death Squads.

Before I was changed by 9/11, I would have fit right in with the Freak Republic. Now, my political views are the exact opposite of what they used to be and they are still moving to the Left.

[mark414]

1. glad to have you

that's our only hope, that more people will be like you and start to wake up and realize what's going on...that these guys are bad for ALL of us, and not just democrats

again, welcome aboard and we're very glad to have you with us

[Maat]

4. Welcome!

I find it strange that the conservatives around me argue that progressives (liberals) are the group of fiscal irresponsibility, as the Booosh administration racks up numbers that epitomize the term 'irresponsibility.'

We believe in fiscal responsibility. After all, the president we played a key role in electing, Clinton, left office with a U.S. surplus.

We just believe in an inclusive society, that precludes discrimination, and that supports a decent social safety net. Better than spending funds on illegal, immoral, unjust, unnecessary wars. Our militaty is stretched so thin, that it could not adequately protect Americans in any case. Yep, he supports a strong DEFENSE (sarcasm off now). Again, welcome!

[buddysmellgood]

2. I'm more conservative, in many ways, than the current administration.

I'm fiscally conservative. I believe in conserving the environment. I believe people should show some restraint in many situations. But I'm not about to advocate controlling other people unless they infringe on my or others' rights.
The "funny" thing about all this is that the left is now the true conservative party.

[leesa]

8. Except that the Left didn't change. You were just sold a bill of goods

that said only conservatives believed in those things, and silly little slogans like "tax and spend", which was the exact opposite of reality when you looked at the facts.

Good to see the propaganda smoke is clearing.

[lcordero]

3. I don't think that you want to ID yourself as a "Neo-Liberal"

http://www.organizepittsburgh.org/neo-liberalism.htm

[Maat]

7. O.K.

Perhaps some of us have just grown emotionally and intellectually, and have become progressives.

[stevebreeze]

5. the original label of conservative related to resistance to change

Now it seem clear to me the only things conservative are trying to conserve is the wealthy and the corporate domination of the rest of us just trying to scrape by on our jobs.

By the way I started out my political life as a Republican, G Wallace was a Dem Johnson had gotten us into an winnable and costly war I held the democrats responsible for "huge" budget deficits (of $30 billion). My first vote was for Nixon, I voted for Reagan(once) but started to sort out the rhetoric from the reality. Kudos to you for figuring it out much younger then I.
:kick:

[UrbScotty]

6. Welcome to Liberal Country!

Thanks for your advice.

[Old and In the Way]

9. Criminal Regressive is a more apt description that defines the

amalgam of people who support this administration and its policies.

I really think we do a disservice to Conservativism by labeling the Criminal Regressives with the Conservative label.