General Discussion

kwolf68

(7,876 posts)

142. For me

Tue Nov 5, 2024, 08:40 AM

Nov 5

Geography, religion, family influence, life experience?

Geography no--born in SE North Car and grew up 30 miles south of Richmond
Religion--not at that time, i often disagreed with the religious right, but "understood them" and even defended them
Family-yea right? I know of no one in my family that is a Dem

Life?? Maybe. I went to work in Northern Virginia and for the first time ever had strong associations with people from every walk of life from countries around the world with varying views and perspectives. That was part of it.

I always was mostly Libertarian though aligned with Republicans, but even back then I very socially liberal. The only nonsocial thing I was maybe left of center on was environment.

On top of that I just started to listen and observe things, read. SMALL things actually move you. I remember reading Limbaugh's book and he made statements in the book that I knew were wrong. I glossed over them at the time, but that made a mark on me. His act started to wear thin, and I wondered If he's lying about that, then what else is he lying about.

I then started to see the scare mongering from the right was horse shit. The Democrats were not communists, people were not coming to take our guns or force us to give up our bibles or ban me from saying Merry Christmas.

The final piece was how I was able to conflate my view on free enterprise with the Democratic Party. Regulations Democrats had often championed (almost always opposed by the right) like anti-trust laws, truth in advertising laws, wage laws, environmental laws ACTUALLY were not just "red tape liberals" trying to "choke off American enterprise", these regulations ACTUALLY PROMOTE the sanctity of a free market (consumer choice, consumer knowledge, cost internalization, etc). At that point I realized the Republicans WERE just about the powerful, they could give a two-shits about free enterprise, rather oligarchy.

So here we are, have yet to vote today, but today my wife, daughter and I will be heading out.

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Question for white male Dems [View all] MaryMagdaline Nov 4 OP

I'm just woke as fuck haha.... bahboo Nov 4 #1

Love that! Easterncedar Nov 5 #153

relatively high IQ lapfog_1 Nov 4 #2

This! WestMichRad Nov 4 #4

Yes, education has been a big part of it. Wednesdays Nov 4 #59

I think educated is a part but there has to be a high EI too LizBeth Nov 5 #117

Kent State CanonRay Nov 4 #3

Yea, that was an eye opener for me as well. MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #5

I have daughters Algernon Moncrieff Nov 4 #6

In this order: GaYellowDawg Nov 4 #7

I've always been a Democrat, always been liberal - why? NewHendoLib Nov 4 #8

I'm not an idiot. flvegan Nov 4 #9

If you would've asked me in college, I would say that I was fiscally conservative... MattNC2021 Nov 4 #10

Empathy Qutzupalotl Nov 4 #11

Democrat from birth. TwilightZone Nov 4 #12

Those percentages are significant. Thank you for the correction MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #29

I think that H2O Man Nov 4 #13

Some family influence from parents but also bovine6 Nov 4 #14

Because I am fucking normal and not weird. edisdead Nov 4 #15

Not real sure but think upbringing. duncang Nov 4 #16

I'm a mensch. DavidDvorkin Nov 4 #17

I am not a revenge voter YorkRd Nov 4 #18

Great term! I will steal that - revenge rotor MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #54

That is a revenge rotor? Thx in advance uponit7771 Nov 5 #141

I am enlightened. usonian Nov 4 #19

How long have you got, lol? gay texan Nov 4 #20

We got all day!! Beats doom scrolling MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #96

What an illuminating thread! cilla4progress Nov 4 #21

Patriotism...the more original sort. Drum Nov 4 #22

A working brain. Five uncles and a FIL plus my father and grandfather who all served. NoMoreRepugs Nov 4 #23

For me, my Grandma's were/are life long Dems jbond56 Nov 4 #24

This message was self-deleted by its author DontBelieveEastisEas Nov 4 #25

I've never voted for a Republican, and tRump is a horror show. BootinUp Nov 4 #26

I became a Democrat when Clinton ran... tinrobot Nov 4 #27

Same Delarage Nov 5 #159

I frankly do not believe the 30% number Metaphorical Nov 4 #28

Well expressed. See #12 above. His data might be more accurate. MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #32

For me, it is a combination of things... NavyDem Nov 4 #30

Travel was key to me. I was always a Dem but after seeing Europe I moved waaay left MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #45

Unfortunately there are highly educated people who embrace Authoritarianism. I think I read about this sometime after electric_blue68 Nov 4 #31

They're the most frightening kind. MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #70

My grandpa is a PhD, my grandma has a bachelor's and my uncle and aunt have Masters degrees and all four are MAGA. Elessar Zappa Nov 5 #102

Definitely a downer electric_blue68 Nov 5 #104

My four uncles and aunt, who did not elect fascists in the 1940s. Instead, they shot them. Efilroft Sul Nov 4 #33

So true. My dad and uncle were the original Antifa. MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #51

Cheers to your dad, I love his definition of freedom. Efilroft Sul Nov 5 #133

Ty, guys electric_blue68 Nov 4 #34

Religion kevink077 Nov 4 #35

Empathy and intelligence. yourout Nov 4 #36

Education Johonny Nov 4 #37

All of the above, plus education. OAITW r.2.0 Nov 4 #38

This is going to sound crazy coming from an atheist but.... Glamrock Nov 4 #39

Funny when atheists are more "Christian" than many self-professed Christians. TwilightZone Nov 4 #42

Ya know? Glamrock Nov 4 #49

I know. Used to tell my husband who was an atheist that he should read the Gospels MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #67

Definitely a compliment. MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #68

This mirrors my life as well. Sermon on the Mount is still gospel (small "g") to me MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #61

Hahahaha! Glamrock Nov 4 #62

Same here misanthrope Nov 4 #66

Unfortunately, the lessons about the latter didn't stick as well as the former! Glamrock Nov 4 #72

I don't think that's crazy at all Unwind Your Mind Nov 5 #90

Not that crazy. dawg Nov 5 #160

It isn't crazy at all genxlib Nov 5 #176

Education ThoughtCriminal Nov 4 #40

Political cartoon that fits the topic quite nicely: TwilightZone Nov 4 #41

Love this! MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #65

My Republican parents raised four Democrats. Gore1FL Nov 4 #43

Two things. TomSlick Nov 4 #44

Yea that Oath is a check on power - for all of us. MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #69

A combination of those things. lees1975 Nov 4 #46

Great summary MaryMagdaline Nov 4 #71

Education... Happy Hoosier Nov 4 #47

Trained in Economics IbogaProject Nov 4 #48

This! I'm so worried about these economic arsonists who want to MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #74

To be honest I'm also antiracist IbogaProject Nov 5 #75

Interesting ranking - you've hit the nail on two issues for Democrats MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #81

I just feel economic opportunity is bigger IbogaProject Nov 5 #175

In more common terms misanthrope Nov 5 #170

Never been impressed by toxic masculinity, bullies, those who want to control others, or the self-righteous. Doodley Nov 4 #50

Because I refused to just sit in the echo chamber askyagerz Nov 4 #52

Great perspective MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #80

alot of white males dont buy into the toxic masculinity and insecurity of what trump offers to those type of men. dsp3000 Nov 4 #53

I'm not a narcissistic, self-absorbed, hate filled person... aquaman Nov 4 #55

This message was self-deleted by its author JohnSJ Nov 4 #56

A part of it for me is probably being an introvert RidinWithHarris Nov 4 #57

Wondering if other high intellect men (damn - sound like a podcast bro) MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #85

Empathy. And actually going against Grown2Hate Nov 4 #58

I'm guessing and hope this is not offensive - that being a Jehovah's Witness MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #86

You can't offend me, especially with Grown2Hate Nov 5 #156

Thank you MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #165

A lot of life experiences. But two things stand out to me. One ... Whiskeytide Nov 4 #60

I love this! My dad used to tell us that he never worried about peer pressure MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #88

I usually post this after being asked if I'm "liberal" or "conservative." But it'll work for this question, too. DFW Nov 4 #63

Great summary! This follows a pattern of certain people in Blue States MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #92

Critical thinking skills, flying rabbit Nov 4 #64

I'm Independent for the time being The Wandering Harper Nov 4 #73

I think. Therefore I am Jerry2144 Nov 5 #76

Yellow Dog Democrat ColinCambridge Nov 5 #77

What herd? Sympthsical Nov 5 #78

Thank you once again. You are truly one of the best. Abolishinist Nov 5 #101

I'm less a fan of the altruism angle Sympthsical Nov 5 #137

Two things I remember about Ms. Rand, Abolishinist Nov 5 #174

Born 1950....Life experience....I have never been attracted GOP philosophy. walkingman Nov 5 #79

Family and Life Experience The Roux Comes First Nov 5 #82

A modicum of intelligence, a capacity for empathy, pride in the as-yet-unattained ideals of my country... LudwigPastorius Nov 5 #83

For me, it's ironically patriotism. notroot Nov 5 #84

Great perspective! My ancestors came late to the party and MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #145

I exist out of spite. DiamondShark Nov 5 #87

Thank you! Please continue to do so MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #95

When Bush and his Republicans ran on trashing gays and banning same-sex marriage. W_HAMILTON Nov 5 #89

Uggh. How soon we forget. Bush and Rove can rot in hell. MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #93

I was raised in and lived most of my life in Massachusetts. CentralMass Nov 5 #91

Im 77. You are not old. OLDMDDEM Nov 5 #134

Thanks for DU's progressive white males for their empathy and non-herd mentality. brush Nov 5 #94

Amen! That's why Democratic Presidents are the best MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #97

There are a few things at play in my liberal political La Coliniere Nov 5 #98

My family were Republicans and I parroted that until I was a junior in high school. Elessar Zappa Nov 5 #99

That's amazing! You're one of the younger ones here MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #105

I was the youngest at the time, I believe! Elessar Zappa Nov 5 #109

Woke. Arthur_Frain Nov 5 #100

im woke and crazy r. inheret that from my late mom. rip AllaN01Bear Nov 5 #103

i also belive in social justice to right the wrongs that the other side inflicted . AllaN01Bear Nov 5 #106

Liberal moms are the best! MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #107

mum was a strong unionist ( teacher ).and dem. AllaN01Bear Nov 5 #108

I have a pulse... MrWowWow Nov 5 #110

That helps! MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #111

I loved Reagan as a kid. BannonsLiver Nov 5 #112

Cool story from Reaganite to Democrat MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #114

Always Been a Musketeer roscoeroscoe Nov 5 #113

Family influence, kozar Nov 5 #115

Difficult to say (sounds so arrogant) but a combo of education, empathy, experience. RockRaven Nov 5 #116

The biggest thing for me was equality ExciteBike66 Nov 5 #118

Rational thought overrules bad human instincts. everyonematters Nov 5 #119

Not being raised a racist and lrymcqueen Nov 5 #120

So many things, but a few priorities: Mike 03 Nov 5 #121

These are great points MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #146

I have no desire to be an awful human being. n/t musicblind Nov 5 #122

My father raised three kids to be life long Democrats. My grandfather Emile Nov 5 #123

I'm a union worker, I vote my job first. BlueTsunami2018 Nov 5 #124

I'm a 66-year-old white woman married to a phylny Nov 5 #125

Well im 67 years old JPPaverage Nov 5 #126

Voted dem all my life. Woodwizard Nov 5 #127

I have to credit Mike Malloy for my political awakening Best_man23 Nov 5 #128

Malloy was/is great. Wasn't he the one who coined "Bush Crime Family"? MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #147

I do believe that is correct. Best_man23 Nov 5 #149

My heart tells me to vote for the person with a heart for others. OLDMDDEM Nov 5 #129

Empathy and idealism. Tom Rinaldo Nov 5 #130

Asked my husband (who is getting ready to leave for work) Bettie Nov 5 #131

Intelligence nt. Littlered Nov 5 #132

Started reading history at an early age, figured displacedvermoter Nov 5 #135

Economics and anti-corporatism Amishman Nov 5 #136

I live in a country where I'm a distinct minority RazorbackExpat Nov 5 #138

Because I'm not a racist, misogynist, bigoted fuckhead Orrex Nov 5 #139

My parents came off the farm in WV, back then almost everyone in WV were Democrats. doc03 Nov 5 #140

For me kwolf68 Nov 5 #142

Great summary! MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #144

I have an IQ over 70 PCIntern Nov 5 #143

Moral fibre orangecrush Nov 5 #148

Life experience. Ping Tung Nov 5 #150

Was in high school during Watergate edbermac Nov 5 #151

Division is for Trump and Vance arlyellowdog Nov 5 #152

I have a heart, and a brain, and never much cared about power or money getagrip_already Nov 5 #154

The truth grobertj Nov 5 #155

When you are in Junior High... blue sky at night Nov 5 #157

Yes!! Those events were great influences on me as well MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #162

Why am I a Democrat? Americanme Nov 5 #158

The first time I saw dlilafae Nov 5 #161

Poverty joshcryer Nov 5 #163

That'll do it MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #164

Frankly, I wasn't a Democrat misanthrope Nov 5 #166

Great summary. I, too, voted for Republicans here and there in GA MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #167

I didn't vote for many Republicans at all misanthrope Nov 5 #168

All I can say is that my entire life I've felt like Republicans break things and cause pain for no reason. D23MIURG23 Nov 5 #169

Never being dazzled by Reagan is a good thing. MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #171

I have no real idea why I turned out as I did. Torchlight Nov 5 #172

Good response. MaryMagdaline Nov 5 #173

For one thing, my parents were free thinkers Aldo Leopold Nov 5 #177

My faith... regnaD kciN Nov 5 #178

Learning things myself instead of believing what I'm told. Tbone421 Nov 5 #179

While I'm not quite sure this claim actually represents my demographic... NNadir Nov 5 #180

What herd? Brenda Nov 5 #181

White male by accident of birth Zambero Nov 5 #182

Social pressure JackedUpMel Nov 5 #183

Are you saying that you actually wanted to be an R? Lulu KC Nov 5 #184

Punctuation is important! JoseBalow Nov 5 #185

? The sentence made sense Lulu KC Nov 5 #186

There should be a comma JoseBalow Nov 5 #187

I can see that Lulu KC Nov 5 #190

Oh, yes, I see what you mean. JoseBalow Nov 5 #192

Perhaps Lulu KC Nov 5 #194

No JackedUpMel Nov 5 #191

I'm doing what I feel is right. n/t Akoto Nov 5 #188

Brains Jason1961 Nov 5 #189

I got tired of all the spite derby378 Nov 5 #193