General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Getting more conservative as you get older? [View all]PJMcK
(21,916 posts)I'm in my late 50's and as I've aged, I've thought about your question, DanTex.
Although I've been a Democrat my whole life, I'm far more liberal than I was in my 20's. I think part of that is my reaction to the outrageous lurch to the right by the neoconservatives in the Bush II administration. Part of it is that being a parent has made me more concerned for the future. Part of it is the rise of the Stupid in the Republican party and the idiocy of the Tea Party. (Quick aside: When the Republican primaries began, the 17 candidates were billed as a "deep bench" by the GOP. Really? Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee, Carly Fiorina, et al. are all light weights; not one of them (including Governor Christie, Governor Kasich and Governor Gilmore) had the gravitas or, frankly, the real patriotism to be president.)
But the biggest part of my move further leftward is that with age and experience, I'm wiser. Wisdom has taught me that Democrats are better for our country. The economy does better under Democratic presidents. Social programs are strengthened under Democratic policies. Foreign relations are generally better under Democratic administrations. Democrats listen to facts and reason and science, they don't govern "from their gut."
Our country and our world face serious problems. We need the best and the brightest not an idiot like Donald Trump.