Who I am: My intro to DU people

[whatsthebuzz]

I've posted for a few weeks, but I never really introduced myself to the DU community. Allow me to do that now.

I'm 35 years old with an identical twin brother. We were adopted, so I'm a firm believer in adoption and would like to adopt should I ever choose to get married again. I grew up in Central FL in a strong Christian (United Methodist) and Republican family. My extended family on my mom's side were all Republicans at that time. That was the only thing my brother and I knew growing up and we viewed Democrats as bad, though we were too young to know why. It was just what my dad always said.

The first President I have memories of was Ronnie Raygun. Of course I thought he was great. I was a kid and we were taught in school to respect the President. I didn't follow the news at all back then. I thought Reagan was awesome and was so happy when he was elected to a second term.

Bush Sr. then got elected. I was happy, thinking that a former Vice-President would do a great job. Still didn't read the news that much, though I was in high school. Gulf war started and I didn't know what to think. Well, GO USA was what I thought. But I was glad when it ended,

Clinton got elected. My dad went apeshit because he hates Democrats with a passion. I started college but still lived at home, so I had to listen to him rant every night about evil Democrats. My mom mostly stayed silent.

I got married and moved away, still a Republican and barely starting to pay attention to the news. My ex-wife was a Republican as well. We started to watch the news and talk about it, debating some issues. it was fun. In the end, our views shifted close to center, but were still to the right. She was in the Army and got a medical discharge due to a freak accident. After that, we watched and read even more news, as I was trying to complete my college studies at the time and fellow students would discuss things in the news.

When GWB was elected (appointed) President, we immediately changed our views to Democrat because we felt that GWB had stolen the election. Our views stayed like that until we got divorced in 2004. Her side of the family was very right-wing, and my side of the family was as well. They didn't like our "radical liberal" views of things.


That's about it. I will say that my cousin and her family turned Democrat in early 2004, breaking with the rest of the family. My brother is a Democrat in hiding, as his wife's side of the family thinks that Sarah Palin is the best thing to ever hit US politics. That's where I stand. A liberal who once again lives in the sea of red known as Central FL.

Yeah, I wanted to spit that out. I was going to go into where I stand on various issues, but I didn't want this to be too long.

[johnnie]

1. Nice to meet you whatsthebuzz

It's good to have you here at DU.

[Swede]

2. Welcome aboard.

You kept an open mind,that is what is important.

[tosh]

3. Well, welcome to DU...

and I'm glad you've come into the light, LOL!

[harun]

4. My story is similar. Although everyone I know in my family is a Dem now.

[jtrockville]

5. Welcome. Glad to have you here :)

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Welcome to DU.

[nykym]

7. Welcome to DU

Take your shoes off and sit a spell

[dionysus]

8. welcome to DU.

[BeFree]

9. So

You repented and became baptized? Born again?

Hey, it's a good line. <grin> Welcome home!!

[whatsthebuzz]

33. I saw the light! n/t

[SharonRB]

10. Welcome to the bright side

and welcome to DU.

[angstlessk]

11. There seems to be more 'recovering' republicans than there are

'recovering' democrats..wonder why?

[whatsthebuzz]

24. I've noticed that as well! n/m

[PatSeg]

109. Democrats tend

to become either apathetic or renewed, depending on the current political landscape. GW renewed a lot of liberals who had dropped out of the political scene. Republicans tend to be more consistent, which gives them an edge, but they appear to be incapable of change or original thought. When change happens, they tend to become reactive (i.e. teabaggers).

[Lochloosa]

12. From one Floridain to another.

Welcome to DU :toast:

[City Lights]

13. Welcome to DU, whatsthebuzz!

:hi:

Glad you've seen the light. :-)

[Kerrytravelers]

14. You are not alone! We have numerous Recovering Republicants.

Nice to have one more to add to the team!

:hi:
kt

[bondwooley]

15. They say that people get more conservative with age...

... I think your story shows how some of us can awaken, rather than retreat, as time goes by. I'm pretty new here myself, so it might be premature for me to welcome somebody to DU, but what the hell - Welcome!

[whatsthebuzz]

29. One day I just decided to open my mind

I am close to center on some views, but way left on most. I was tired of what was always drilled into me--that Democrats were bad. And when I moved from Florida, I moved to Tennessee. That didn't help much, but it's where I made my "conversion." :)

[bondwooley]

55. Opening a mind is harder than closing one. Congrats on the effort! n/t

[PSzymeczek]

71. I must be the exception to that.

I was a Republican until sometime during Raygun's first term. I've found that the older I get, the more liberal I get.

[Larry Ogg]

79. Some mental illnesses and personality disorders such as narcissism also get worse with age

I have friend that is 47 and an extreme pathological narcissist, and I found it quite interesting that, even though she could care less about politics or what goes on in the real world, or values outside of her delusional self centered world, her mind and thought processes are wired like extreme authoritarian conservative. So I did a Google search on "narcissistic authoritarian conservative" and found out that I wasn't the only one to come to this conclusion.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Failed-Conservative-Values-by-Edwin-Rutsch-080625-212.html

[dmr]

16. Welcome to DU!

:kick:
:hi:

[dalaigh lllama]

17. Welcome to DU

Lots of information here, with actual links to back it up. If you are befuddled by some of the insider terminology here, check out the DU Glossary for translation. :hi:

[whatsthebuzz]

23. Thanks for that

I knew many of the terms on there,, but some were new to me.

[Juneboarder]

47. Golly...

I didn't know the glossary even existed; just tried to putz along pretending I knew... :)

Thank you for sharing! :)

[havocmom]

18. Interesting.

Will look forward to reading more from someone who switched parties for the reason you stated.

[Froward69]

19. Welcome to DU

once one pays attention to the news and actually thinks about it... one turns Liberal or at least a Democrat.

Funny how that works! :hi:

[whatsthebuzz]

34. I've really noticed that

The people I know (friends and family) who just watch local news tend to be Republicans. Once I started watching and reading the news from a large variety of sources, I became I die-hard liberal.

[eShirl]

20. welcome, whatsthebuzz!

Now I've got a funky song from a 1970 Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera playing in my head...


what's the buzz, tell me what's a-happenin'
what's the buzz, tell me what's a-happenin'

[Aristus]

21. Welcome to DU!

:hi::fistbump::toast:

Since you're fairly new to this side of the aisle, it's important to remember the terminology. It should probably be "turned Democratic"; because "turned Democrat" sounds too much like something a repub would say (like 'The Democrat Party' Arrgh! ). They use the noun form as the adjectival form, and it drives us crazy!...

Anyway, as a former republican myself (turning point: the 1994 Mid-Terms, point of no return: Bill Clinton's impeachment) I want to say, 'welcome', and I think you'll really enjoy it here. I've been here for nine years, if you can believe it... :-)

[Dappleganger]

22. Welcome to DU, fellow Floridian!

Thanks for sharing the story of your political journey. Like you, I was also raised in a conservative home who worshiped St. Ronnie. Thankfully that didn't grow permanently inside of me.

I'm a registered independent but a few democrat friends here at home are working on me daily to change that status. Not too crazy about the D party in FL except for people like Alan Grayson, etc. Too many blue-dogs around here and I won't work on their behalf.

Anyway, welcome from NE FL!

[WheelWalker]

25. "Over Here...This Way...That's It...You've Made It...

"Welcome To Side Six...follow in your book and repeat after me as we learn three new words in Turkish...towel...bath...border...may I see your passport please? But, eh, you can't get there from here, so all out for Fort Stinkin' Desert."

[Iggo]

26. What's the buzz? Tell me what's a-happenin'.

Oh wait. I guess you did.

Welcome to DU.:hi:

[whatsthebuzz]

32. LOL

Only name I could think of when I registered. I'm a huge lover of music (played saxophone in HS and college) and enjoy mainly musicals, classical, and opera. JCS was a freaky musical. :)

[Bryn]

27. A warm welcome to DU

:hi: I wish my 3 sisters were more like you, opening up and see all sides. It's a good thing that you can think for yourself. Democratic Party isn't perfect, but at least it's far better to be on dem. side rather than let the today Republicans run the country, running it into the ground. (tho they already did ... Reagan and Bush, Jr.)

[Dogtown]

28. Welcome, whatsthebuzz

:hi:

[mrs_p]

30. same age here

but opposite experience - democratic home and social justice catholic. my first political memory was my mother sobbing when reagan won in 1980 - i was so upset i couldn't eat anymore of my halloween candy (i was 6) - and my first democratic campaign was in 1988 for dukakis. most people i knew from catholic school, though, had a similar experience as you.

welcome to DU :hi:

[abelenkpe]

31. Welcome!

I also come from a family of republicans. Only the VA variety. I moved to CA after college and they blame my liberal views on art school and CA. I blame them on reason and empathy. Hope you like it here! :)

[Kolesar]

35. I used to read National Review in the college library

Until I realized that there were more important things to do.

[grantcart]

36. Welcome - I too successfully escaped a Republican prison

[Wapsie B]

37. Welcome to DU whatsthebuzz!

I can relate to what you're saying having made a similar conversion after Iran-Contra & Ollie North came to light.

[DirkGently]

38. Newish too, but welcome. And you're not alone in CF

:toast:

[DesertFlower]

39. welcome to DU.

thank you for sharing your story.

[The Wielding Truth]

40. I am proud that you are open minded enough to see the big picture.

Welcome, welcome to DU.

If by: Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master;
If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings -- nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run --
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man my son!

[arthritisR_US]

41. welcome aboard! Your post was an excellent read, thanks :-) n/t

[4lbs]

42. Read this book, and see if any applied to you growing up.

:)

[PSzymeczek]

72. That is an excellent read!

Just widh I had access to my copy. <sigh>

[LeftWingPunk]

43. do you live in Grayson's district n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

44. Welcome to DU :^)

[myrna minx]

45. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Festivito]

46. Sounds like a family of passionate believers of politics.

I hope you have fun here.

[NoSheep]

48. Thanks for being here. Welcome to the party!

:D

[CatWoman]

49. welcome to DU

:hi:

good story. good ending.

[Duer 157099]

50. It's a normal progression, the move to the left accompanies awareness and education

I've seen it in my own life as well as many, many others.

Republicans bank on ignorance, plain and simple.

[disillusioned73]

51. Good stufff.....

I am fairly new around here as well, so maybe I'll try something similar when I get the time.....

[Patsy Stone]

52. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[TexasObserver]

53. Welcome to DU.

[mulsh]

54. welcome fellow twin.

you can change political parties, one's opinions tend to evolve as one grows older but you'll always be a twin. I'm a fraternal twin but as we get older (52 & counting) & fatter we are getting more identical.
I hope you enjoy your time here.

[abq e streeter]

56. a little clip of Jake and Elwood ( and reverend Cleophus) for you, and all who've seen the light

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX5tfRdkoY0&feature=related

[Dr Morbius]

57. Hmm. I've been here a few weeks myself & haven't done an intro...

I too grew up with a Republican mindset, but this quickly changed when I moved out of my parent's house and got to see what the real world is like.

Desideratus.

[Shell Beau]

58. I think your story is a lot of people's story.

I also think Jr. turned many repulbicans into democrats, so I guess he did serve a purpose! Nice having you here.

[Dinger]

59. Welcome whatsthebuzz

Nice post.

[sonias]

60. Welcome!

Nice story.

:toast:

[MadMaddie]

61. whatsthebuzz welcome to DU!

We all go through our individual journeys and experience an awakening at some point in our lives.

DU is a fantastic place where we all have opinions and for the most part we are able to discuss those opinions. I find all of the DU members interesting and willing to contribute to the conversation.

:hi:

[AnArmyVeteran]

62. Nice story, welcome to DU (from another newbie)

[HillbillyBob]

63. Welcome.

I lived in FtLaud from 83 until 2002.
The night of the election we saw our ballots from our precinct put into shredders.
We left fl after multiple job outsourcing and Jeb Bush dabblin medicaid.
Im a long term HIV patient..and they screwed over the dr that saved my life then sent me to a gynaecologist...I am a man by the way..I don't have much love left for what has become of Fl.
We got a lot of harassment from the powers that be for speaking out about the ballot shredding. We also got death threats and had bushcos 'secret' police ransack our house w/o warrant or notification and I was put on the no fly list. When I had to go back to wv to see my grandmother in her final illness I had to drive, not easy when you are sick.
I really despise the bush crime family. I was even told by Gov Geo Wallace that the Bush family were such criminals they made the mob look like church deacons.

So if that gives you any ammo to try to 'reason' with your family...

I turned 18 just prior to the election that brought us runnyraygun..I was a naif, but not to enough to vote for rr.

[Mira]

64. Nice to meet you, Whatsthebuzz, I'm glad you are here. And I'm glad you feel

at home!
It sounds like you are.

[ocd liberal]

65. Welcome to DU!

[Canuckistanian]

66. Welcome to DU

Some people take time to catch on to the great scam. But eventually, intelligence and critical thinking lead them in the right direction.

Glad to see you here.

:toast:
:hi:

[Uncle Joe]

67. Welcome to DU, whatsthebuzz.

:hi:

[elleng]

68. Welcome!

Hang with Grayson!

[defendandprotect]

69. Congratulations for thinking your own way out ---

IMO, it's sad that children are saddled with parents' beliefs -- whether religious or

political. But, it's also sad that our schools aren't doing more to encourge thinking

about government and elected officials and policies and concepts --

Politics effects your life every moment of your life!




PS: Some say "politics" is the shadow cast over governmen by corporations --

[nadinbrzezinski]

70. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[ClayZ]

73. Welcome

Thanks for sharing your story. It always gives me so much hope to hear from a reformed republican. Woooo Hoooo. Glad you saw the light.

[Truth2Tell]

74. Nice post Hitler!

Kidding.

Just wanted to be the first to go there, since sooner or later someone will. :)

And welcome to DU!

[Divine Discontent]

76. HA!

that's a good one. That and closet freeper.


as for the OP, I say ---

Welcome to DU! :hi:

It's a very open-minded place, where full rights for all are supported, and a place where we know who built the deficit up to more than 9 trillion, and that it just didn't appear overnight once Obama got into office! Ha... Gotta love the Teaklanners.

[HughMoran]

75. Welcome to DU!

Thanks for sharing your story with us...

[Rage Inc.]

77. Another "K&R If" Thread

:nopity:

[Oldtimeralso]

78. Welcome to DU, n/t

[bkozumplik]

80. welcome and all that but..

greatest threads list? really? Is it just me or has the news and the momentum of our whole party kinda slowed in the last year?

[alphafemale]

81. Welcome to DU! nt

[miscsoc]

82. welcome, the only of my relations i can really talk about politics w/

is my thatcherite tory granny. whom i love. i'm a socialist. i can't imagine holding the political views of members of my own family against them, and i've never felt any need to hide my political disagreements.

[laughingliberal]

83. Welcome!

:hi:

[democrank]

84. K & R

Glad you`re here.

[florida08]

85. you give me hope

When minds can be opened after the strong influence you lived under then I'm encouraged. I'm in North Florida and it's pretty red here too

[axollot]

86. Welcome to DU mate! I live near JAX in Clay County FL.

It's really good to know life long R's can see the light.

Cheers
Sandy

ps. Dont let post counts fool you ;) I've been here since before the Iraq war started! (I lurk a LOT).

[Uben]

87. I was born into a republican family, too

...yet by the time I was voting age (1973), I was all democrat. Maybe it was my rebellious nature, because as far as politics went, I was pretty naive. All I knew was I thought the muders of the Kennedys and Dr. King was the worst thing that ever happened to the nation. Being raised in the south and having went to integrated schools for the last eight years, my views towards blacks had changed. I went from a racist attitude to one of compassion. The Viet NAm war had roused my rebellious side and by the time the elections hit in 1976, I was more than happy to vote for Jimmy Carter. By 1980, I still voted democrat, although we were experiencing tough economic times under Carter.
Then Raygun was elected and I got laid off the same day my first child was born! To make matters worse, when Raygun was re-elected in 84, I was laid off again. I was completely soured on republicans! When GHW Bush was elected, I was laid off yet again! That was the death blow to republicans ever getting my vote. Once Clinton was elected, I started educating myself about politics. I read a lot. I also started prospering...greatly. Those eight years were the best of my life, up to that point. In 2000, when Jerk-off stole the election, I was scared and furious. Living in a republican bastion, there were few who held my ideology, so I clung to those who believed as I did. In 2001, after the election, I was on the internet looking for someplace where people had the same feelings I was experiencing. I bounced around a few political forums arguing about how the election was stolen.

Then, I found DU. HEllo! This was it! A place where others were as mad as I was...and talking about it!

Been here ever since! Nine years and counting, I read here every day. DU is my home page. It is the first thing I read in the morning!

You're gonna love this place!

[Altoid_Cyclist]

88. Welcome to DU!

Truth be known, I was also a fan of the Reptilian Party for far too long. That was when I knew zilch about politics though so I can at least claim ignorance. I was the baby of the family and looked up to my older siblings. My oldest brother was an officer in the local Young Repukes in the early 60's and since I admired him, I figured that the Dems must be bad people.

However, he saw the light when Tricky Dicky took the reins and Raygun and the "Trickle Down" B.S. really made me wonder if the Democrats might not be the better choice. I was still woefully in the dark until the shrub stole the election and once the war on terror, occupations, missions of freedom or whatever he was calling them that week started, I realized that I could no longer ignore what was happening in this country. Better late than never I guess..... I wish that I had woken up and been more active a lot earlier in life, but the most that I can do now is try to make up for lost time.

I do have one final admission to make which will probably not go over well, but here goes. I have another brother who lives in North Central Indiana and is a small town politician. I have never asked him which party he belongs to, but since the demographics are I think 4 to 1 for the (R) Party, I can only assume that he is also a (R). Having said that, I also know what kind of person he is and although we probably wouldn't agree on everything, he and his wife spent their whole careers teaching Elementary School, hated 'W', are pro-environment, anti-war and have given a lot back to their community. So even if he is a (R), I can say for certain that he and his family are good people.

[blue neen]

89. Welcome to DU!

You've got Alan Grayson in Central FL! :)

[nyc 4 Biden]

90. welcome to du! eom

[bachart]

91. I should do the same, I'm shy!!

I also have been reading DU for longer than I dare say.....years. I have never posted but I think I may start posting. I have been liberal and democrat since Kennedy was first elected. I was too young to vote but I knew where I stood. I have been surrounded by Consevatives and Republicans all my life, and now I can't stand them any more. Why? Because it's always about their God, their beliefs, their country, their money, their rules and your way is wrong...period. So....I just keep walking...LOL

I have alot more to say.....but I will leave at that for now. Thanks

[OneGrassRoot]

92. Welcome, bachart!

:hi:

Nice to "meet" you. :)

[PatSeg]

107. Welcome to DU Bachart

I was a lurker for a long time before I started posting as well. This was a good thread to get you started.

[AllyCat]

93. Welcome! Your screen name reminds of of that song in JCSS

Whats the buzz? Tell me what's happening? Don't know if that's what you meant, but it popped into my head when I read your post! Welcome to the sane side :)

[Lost4words]

94. I look forward to seeing your posts & Welcome to DU!

:hi: 55, lifelong democrat, I'm not happy with either party today.

:toast:

[graywarrior]

95. Welcome and it's hilarious that your brother is a "democrat in hiding"

Maybe he'll have a coming out event some day.

[Javaman]

96. Cheers and welcome!

DU can be a heady place at times so make sure you have on your flame proof suit. We engage in healthy debates, so come well armed, otherwise you will be called on your sources.

Other than that, have fun! :)

[Red State Prisoner]

97. Similar Story Here

I was pretty far to the right in my youth. My parents were conservatively liberal for lack of a better term. When I left home and began the journey into adulthood, I found myself clinging to my religious principles which inevitably put me on the conservative path to ignorance. I was a pro-lifer and a homophobe hell bent on destroying the liberal left. Then I moved to Austin, TX and had my eyes opened. Austin's diverse population, coupled with the peace and prosperity under Clinton, started to shake my views. I completely abandoned the right during the whole impeachment fiasco and realized how full of shit they actually were. I dumped my Catholic faith and found a nice, accommodating home in the more welcoming Episcopal church. I could go on and on with the gradual transformation from half-wit to human, but that would take too long. Simply put, I am now rabidly liberal, and a hell of a lot happier. Welcome by the way...sorry...became a little carried away with the typing.

[FailureToCommunicate]

99. Welcome also Red State Prisoner!

"... from half- wit to human" Too funny!

[Red State Prisoner]

100. Thank You

Truth be told, I'm not all that new. Don't let my lack of posts fool you. I've been lurking on DU almost from the beginning. I waited a few years to sign up, but it's always one of the first sites I open up in the morning. ;)

[BrklynLiberal]

106. Welcome. Yet another interesting story from a newbie to DU!!!

The more the merrier...:hi: :hi:

[FailureToCommunicate]

98. Welcome! Your openness to change- and share your discoveries- is most encouraging! My

own upbringing was just about the opposite of yours politically. My family were ardent social activists (My father helped shepherd disability rights into law, leading to the ADA).
So much so that we kids got no so subtle grief if we were NOT heading out to rally for some cause or other...

Takes all kinds, I suppose.

So glad you joined "us"

There may be fewer "members," perhaps, but the clearer conscience, as you start each new day, is priceless.

[uponit7771]

101. sup

[WilliamPitt]

102. Welcome aboard.

:toast:

[nolabear]

103. Welcome, and what a great intro! I'd like to see more of this.

It would be very interesting to know more about who people are, where they came to their points of view and how they got here. Hope you (continue to) enjoy the place.

[rhett o rick]

104. welcome

[BrklynLiberal]

105. WELCOME TO DU!!

Does the fact that both you and your brother are Democrats in spite of your family's republicanism indicate a victory of genetics over environment?? LOL

Only kidding. So glad that you and your brother were able to stay together. That is a blessing in itself.

:thumbsup: :hi:

[JustAnotherGen]

108. Welcome!

I was born democratic but annoy my parents with my blatant Socialism. :-) So I totally relate to being to the left of your parents. ;-)

[PatSeg]

110. Great intro

I always like hearing how people came to DU. Nice way to enter our community!

[deaniac21]

111. Too long.

[billymayshere]

112. Welcome to the sane members of society!

My story is similar to yours. Most of my family is lower middle class and still support the republicant party and it drives me nuts. My conversion didn't happen until the end of Clintons first term and at that time I considered myself niether. It wasn't until the shrub showed up that I turned hard left, way far left as a matter of fact. I now consider myself a Democratic Socialist much like my favorite Senator Bernie Sanders. I remember hearing a saying that went something like if you arent a Democrat in college you don't have a heart and if you arent a republicant by 40 you don't have a brain. Hooey! I have settled in my philosophy and will never turn back. After I opened my eyes and saw the results of the conservative agenda stemming from reagan first hand the chances of me swinging the other way is zero. Welcome to DU friend!