njbuff Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 I’ll be honest, I still know nothing about politics and I knew even less before Trump was President. Now I see politics for the ridiculous game that it is. There is hatred all over this country for political beliefs that I didn’t know existed because I was never involved in political discussions. EVER. Point is, without dragging this thread out, that I should go back to being a political novice. It will make things much more simpler again. Who is/was in the same boat I am? Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackOrton Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 The Clinton, George W Bush and Obama administrations all thank you for not paying attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keukasmallies Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 I was interested in politics, to some degree, before Obama was elected, now not so much. The MSM has turned the tide for me to the point that I believe little I read or see in the MSM. Trump is no worse than his immediate predecessor, but Hill'ry's totally unexpected loss turned the media into dumnp rats scavenging for the slightest morsel to help ease the pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azalin Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 I've been fascinated by the mechanics of government, especially at the federal level, since the Carter administration. The Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the functions of the three branches and the balance of power between them - all of that is still a major preoccupation of mine, and will always be fascinating to me. But there are politics and there are politics. In my opinion, too few people pay any attention to the mechanics of government and instead focus on the us vs them, team sports version of politics. Unfortunately, this kind of politics makes up the bulk of what we as a society consider to be politics. The best thing that people could do is shut the hell up, turn off the TV, and go read a book. They'd be far better off for it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdnlng Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 28 minutes ago, Azalin said: I've been fascinated by the mechanics of government, especially at the federal level, since the Carter administration. The Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the functions of the three branches and the balance of power between them - all of that is still a major preoccupation of mine, and will always be fascinating to me. But there are politics and there are politics. In my opinion, too few people pay any attention to the mechanics of government and instead focus on the us vs them, team sports version of politics. Unfortunately, this kind of politics makes up the bulk of what we as a society consider to be politics. The best thing that people could do is shut the hell up, turn off the TV, and go read a book. They'd be far better off for it. It has gotten so bad that Alan !@#$ing Dershowitz is being ripped apart by the left just because he believes in the Constitution. Offhand I cannot name one person in politics on the left that I could disagree with on many ideas but respect the person for their honest principles. There are no Patrick Moynihans out there. They constantly change what they stand for in order to please a certain segment of the population that they need for today. I'm not saying that the right doesn't have hypocrites too but I can at least find some of them that will stand on principle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 (edited) Reagan entered office my junior high school year, was well wound up in it and have ever since read through Voegelin and Leo Strauss life works in undergrad for fun Edited July 6, 2018 by row_33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Since I was a young orphan on the streets of Brooklyn during Hayes' first tenure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Gal Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 I have been "interested" in the process for quite some time now (around the Reagan years - the Carter years were - just put your head down and try and get through it). The internet has made it a lot easier to become more informed, as long as you are willing to dig. IOW, do not trust the MSM. The last 10-12 years have been enlightening (and not in a good way). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 50 minutes ago, 3rdnlng said: It has gotten so bad that Alan !@#$ing Dershowitz is being ripped apart by the left just because he believes in the Constitution. Offhand I cannot name one person in politics on the left that I could disagree with on many ideas but respect the person for their honest principles. Chris Van Hollen, I used to...but then he went full bug!@#$ gatorman ignorant with the 2007 bailout. Since then...Bernie Sanders, I disagree with on everything but can say "Well, at least you're honest, I can respect that." And maybe Mitt Romney. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepthefaith Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Been interested in politics my entire adult life but began to tune in much more closely during the Bush 43 years. The closer you look, the uglier it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Large Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Do you vote? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azalin Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 3 hours ago, 3rdnlng said: It has gotten so bad that Alan !@#$ing Dershowitz is being ripped apart by the left just because he believes in the Constitution. Offhand I cannot name one person in politics on the left that I could disagree with on many ideas but respect the person for their honest principles. There are no Patrick Moynihans out there. They constantly change what they stand for in order to please a certain segment of the population that they need for today. I'm not saying that the right doesn't have hypocrites too but I can at least find some of them that will stand on principle. I know exactly what you mean. Another that comes to mind is Sam Nunn. Too bad the dems gave up on that kind of philosophy. I might still be one if they hadn't. 1 minute ago, B-Large said: Do you vote? Is this for anyone specifically, or to the board in general? In case of the latter, yes, I vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Large Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 4 minutes ago, Azalin said: I know exactly what you mean. Another that comes to mind is Sam Nunn. Too bad the dems gave up on that kind of philosophy. I might still be one if they hadn't. Is this for anyone specifically, or to the board in general? In case of the latter, yes, I vote. Directed at OP..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TakeYouToTasker Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 I don't care about politics in-so-much as I work to understand the machinations of the individuals who would seek to rule us in order that I can best articulate and argue a moral philosophy that sets men free and opens the world to endless wonders and possibilities as a result. As a very young man I cut my "intellectual teeth", so to speak, on Swift, Machiavelli, Sun-Tsu, Locke, Orwell, Rand, Paine, Smith, Marx, Hobbes, the Bible, etc. and have been working to properly define the world in a way that makes the most sense to the realities of human desires and perception, and the realities of the human condition since that time. As a result, politics became my practical application of those desires. Some day I hope to become skillful at it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Started for me with the Bush-Dukakis race. As a teen, I was an ultra-right winger. My closest friends (back then, and now; six other guys) were all in the same camp. My friend's father used to bring us to John Birch Society meetings. We all subscribed to the National Review. We all listened to/watched/read Rush Limbaugh. Fast forward to today, two of us (including the son of the father who brought us to those meetings) are pretty liberal; one is even more extreme right than we were back then; the rest are pretty middle of the road, leaning a little to the right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Brown Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 I couldn't avoid it growing up as my father was very into politics growing up and I remember putting up Carter/Mondale signs up along the road with him as a teenager. He hated Reagan and still traces all of today's societal problems back to him. He called Trump "Reagan's id" when we watched that Buffalo rally he had with Rex Ryan giving the intro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azalin Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 51 minutes ago, Gugny said: Started for me with the Bush-Dukakis race. As a teen, I was an ultra-right winger. My closest friends (back then, and now; six other guys) were all in the same camp. My friend's father used to bring us to John Birch Society meetings. We all subscribed to the National Review. We all listened to/watched/read Rush Limbaugh. Fast forward to today, two of us (including the son of the father who brought us to those meetings) are pretty liberal; one is even more extreme right than we were back then; the rest are pretty middle of the road, leaning a little to the right. You were an ultra-right winger as a teen? I'd be interested to hear what caused you to change so much. I've changed and grown over the years myself, but I started as a little red-flag waving commie, eventually moving to the center and then on to a more classical liberal/libertarian bent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 8 hours ago, Azalin said: You were an ultra-right winger as a teen? I'd be interested to hear what caused you to change so much. I've changed and grown over the years myself, but I started as a little red-flag waving commie, eventually moving to the center and then on to a more classical liberal/libertarian bent. As I got older, I just paid attention more. I form my own opinions/beliefs based on why I see and what I learn. Sometimes my stance ends up being popular with those on the conservative side; sometimes (more often), liberal. Most of my liberal views are on social issues. I think, as time has gone one, I realized that I have a problem with a government creating and enforcing rules and policies that affect people whom they've never met - and most of those people (female, not rich, gay, minority) are different than those making/enforcing the rules. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 I go back to Kennedy/Nixon. Can't remember a time since that politics wasn't of interest to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Egg Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Actually, became less interested in National politics since Trump was elected. He exposed what many suspected about them and LW media. Finally have someone in the White House that is his own person, sees things for what they are and doesn't pander to the media, Dems or GOP. In Trump I Trust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts