I used to be as "blue" as it comes but now I am older...

[Anonymous]

I find myself definitely not as blue as 20 years ago. I am not red yet but feel I am solidly in the middle - agree with left on some issues and agree with right on others. Do other "50 and over" people feel the same? Or is it just me??

[Anonymous]

"A man who has not been a socialist before 25 has no heart. If he remains one after 25 he has no head."

—attributed to King Oscar II of Sweden

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
"A man who has not been a socialist before 25 has no heart. If he remains one after 25 he has no head."

—attributed to King Oscar II of Sweden

That's beautiful. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

No. Don't relate at all. 61 years old and still a socialist. In fact, the Vietnam war turned my mom from a moderate Republican to a raving liberal so my anecdotal experience is the opposite of yours.

[Anonymous]

Sentiment predates King Oscar:
http://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/02/24/heart-head/

[Anonymous]

Not to mention that hearing this from a king is not particularly convincing.

[Anonymous]

Certainly not my experience. I was a conservative-leaning independent throughout my youth. Now, as 50 year old, I made my first political donation -- to a Democrat. For me it is less about my aging and the absolute destruction of the Republican party and conservative movement that's taken place over the last decade. But at this point I can't ever imagine voting for a Republican in any political contest again.

[Anonymous]

I think as I've gotten older I've gotten a lot more respect for the free market as the best means of figuring out solutions to problems, but also a lot more appreciation for the need to have good rules of the road for the market, and the fact that markets are still imperfect. The net result doesn't leave me noticeably more liberal or conservative.

[Anonymous]

What you're describing is pretty common. Unfortunately, it often comes from an "I got mine" mentality that prioritizes the aging population to the detriment of the whole (think, for Social Security spending but against early education spending). I don't know you or your beliefs, but I'd urge anybody in your situation to make sure changing views are not purely self-interested or short-sighted.

- grew up in a town without a high school because the graying population bulldozed it rather than pay property taxes to fund it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you're describing is pretty common. Unfortunately, it often comes from an "I got mine" mentality that prioritizes the aging population to the detriment of the whole (think, for Social Security spending but against early education spending). I don't know you or your beliefs, but I'd urge anybody in your situation to make sure changing views are not purely self-interested or short-sighted.

- grew up in a town without a high school because the graying population bulldozed it rather than pay property taxes to fund it

I think it more about life experience bring more wisdom to your decisions and thought processes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you're describing is pretty common. Unfortunately, it often comes from an "I got mine" mentality that prioritizes the aging population to the detriment of the whole (think, for Social Security spending but against early education spending). I don't know you or your beliefs, but I'd urge anybody in your situation to make sure changing views are not purely self-interested or short-sighted.

- grew up in a town without a high school because the graying population bulldozed it rather than pay property taxes to fund it

I don't see it as "I got mine" mentality. It's more of an "I worked for mine, why don't you work for yours" mentality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Certainly not my experience. I was a conservative-leaning independent throughout my youth. Now, as 50 year old, I made my first political donation -- to a Democrat. For me it is less about my aging and the absolute destruction of the Republican party and conservative movement that's taken place over the last decade. But at this point I can't ever imagine voting for a Republican in any political contest again.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you're describing is pretty common. Unfortunately, it often comes from an "I got mine" mentality that prioritizes the aging population to the detriment of the whole (think, for Social Security spending but against early education spending). I don't know you or your beliefs, but I'd urge anybody in your situation to make sure changing views are not purely self-interested or short-sighted.

- grew up in a town without a high school because the graying population bulldozed it rather than pay property taxes to fund it

I think it more about life experience bring more wisdom to your decisions and thought processes.

What "wisdom" is there in demolishing a school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you're describing is pretty common. Unfortunately, it often comes from an "I got mine" mentality that prioritizes the aging population to the detriment of the whole (think, for Social Security spending but against early education spending). I don't know you or your beliefs, but I'd urge anybody in your situation to make sure changing views are not purely self-interested or short-sighted.

- grew up in a town without a high school because the graying population bulldozed it rather than pay property taxes to fund it

I think it more about life experience bring more wisdom to your decisions and thought processes.

What "wisdom" is there in demolishing a school?

High school students benefit from attending a larger high school with more classes, resources, clubs and opportunities. A small town with few families with school aged children is not going to be able to offer the same type of educational opportunities as a high school that is fed by several small towns.

[Anonymous]

I evolved from a Republican in my 20s to a left leaning Democrat in my early 50s. Totally the reverse, but I grew up in an area and at a school where everyone was peer pressured to be right wing.