I didn't pay much attention to politics before Clinton, did you?

[napi21]

I'm 60 now, and a real political junkie, but before Clinton, I really didn't pay attention to the ads, policies, or who even was in office other than the President. I voted in EVERY election since I was eligible at 21, but none of that stuff seemed to effect me, and I had better things to do.

When EVERYONE started to pick on Clinton, it pi**ed me off because I really liked him. You couldn't ignore it.....it was everywhere! Then I started to pay attention to who the attackers were. Now I recognize almost EVERY Senator and where he's from, most of the House folks (at least the ones you see all the time, and I write my senators, Reps., and letters to the editor all the time.

I've been trying so hard to think of how we can help Kerry win, and I'm just wondering if a lot of people have the same attitude that I USED to have? Not the people on DU, but the majority of people who are busy with their jobs, kids, and hobbies.

[demnan]

1. No

I worked in and dabbled in politics since age 14. Always Democratic. But we're very glad to have you aboard.

[wryter2000]

2. Watergate

You're old enough to have watched Watergate. That was some fascinating stuff. The parallels with now are astonishing.

[napi21]

8. I didn't pay too much attention to Watergate.

Sure I heard about the break-in, and my response at the time was....OK so the Pubs tried to steal some Dem secrets. Big deal. Both sides probably do it....these duma**es just got caught.

[trof]

15. I paid a LOT of attention to Watergate.

I didn't register to vote until I was in my 30s and a husband and father.
Figured it was time to try and grow up a little and start having a say in how the country was run. (OK, I was very naive then.)

The first election I voted in was Nixon-McGovern. I voted for McGovern.
I knew he didn't have a chance in hell, but (to me) the Watergate thing stank to high heaven from the gitgo.

My friends brushed it off. "Third rate burglary." (the repug 'line')
"The Democrats do the same thing. These guys just got caught."
"THEY all do it."
I didn't buy that then, and I don't now.

The 2000 coup REALLY focused my attention and changed forever the way I think about this country, the majority of its bleating sheeple, politics, and the so-called Fourth Estate.

[MrBenchley]

10. I actually sort of burned out with Watergate

and ignored politics for the most part for years...then the fuss over Clinton's impeachment got me back in.

There are a lot of parallels now with Watergate...but this is much more disgraceful and serious. Nixon didn't kill and maim thousands trying to break into the DNC headquarters...

I used to love when Republicans would try to parallel Watergate with Monicamania...

Nixon: allegations of serious felony...
Clinton: allegations of adultery

Nixon: investigation by independent counsel in his own party
Clinton: investigation by independent counsel from opposition party

Nixon: Fired independent counsel when evidence of wrong doing emerged from investigation, and fired attorney general when new independent counsel was appointed from Nixon's own party
Clinton: Cleared by independent counsel of wrongdoing. Opposition party fired the independent counsel and replaced him themselves with a partisan who had at least nine conflicts of interest.

Nixon: Evidence gathered through legal means, presented to House Judiciary Committee, with president given chance to rebut witnesses and present exculpatory evidence.
Clinton: "Evidence" gathered through illegal phone intercepts and witness intimidation. Accepted at face value by House Judiciary Committee through majority vote, with president given no chance to respond in anyway.

And so on...

[wryter2000]

28. Yup

There are a lot of parallels now with Watergate...but this is much more disgraceful and serious.

You are so right about that. The break-in itself was really no biggie. It was how Nixon reacted to the fact that it came to light.

[ComerPerro]

3. Well, I'm 22, so...

No.

but I am curious what others will say.

so


:kick:

[AndyP]

4. same here

Actually I never really got heavy into it till Bush was elected and I became a skeptic about the process.

[rangerfan]

5. My interest in politics began just prior to Kennedys election.

[Syncronaut Seven]

6. I'm only 42

Became politically aware during Viet Nam/Watergate. Cast my first vote for Carter in 1980. Mostly a Democrat since, with stints as a registered Green for a couple of years. Re-registered as a Demo this year to vote in the primaries.

Cynical as this may sound, I trust no one in politics, No one.

[lovedems]

7. That is my story exactly. I am 36 and I paid a *little bit* of attention

to politics in the 80's under Raygun. I paid enough attention to know that I didn't like republicans or the republican party. I really like Bill Clinton and was also pissed when the republicans started picking on him which confirmed my dislike of the party. Then in 2000, I really woke up and decided that I had better get more involved and fight the republican party, *for the love of my country*.

The benefit of awaking from my political slumber is that my children are much more intereted in the political debate then I was when I was young. They are VERY young but they know the players and they have a very basic understanding of what is going on. They show an interest however, which makes me proud. (My 7 year old wrote me a mothers day book in school and when he said my moms favorite books are news books, he drew a picture of Kerry beating * in the Spider man fashion with "Kablam" and "Boom" as the captions. :) )

[truthbetold]

9. I have one thing to thank the Administration for...

Opening up my eyes to the importance of politics.

[Tactical Progressive]

11. Yes, since right after college. Reagan.

25 years. I think it takes about fifteen years to get seasoned. Maybe a little less with the internet now, but still a long time.

I'd say anyone who has just gotten into politics with Bush hasn't really even started. With Bush and 9/11, and more generally the seething rancor that the right wing has shoved down America's gullet these past ten or fifteen years, this has been kind of like crisis mode, and I don't think most of what has gone on even much applies to how this country really runs. If you think of it like a family, it's like family dynamics or interpersonal relationships ... while someone is shooting at your house and trying to burn it down. Would you say you've been involved in 'family life' under such circumstances? Only of a very strained sort. I don't know quite how to say it, but I don't think much of what has gone on in the last ten years or so has anything to do with how America operates politically. It's been about America under siege politically.

Maybe that's just 'politics as war' and really is part of politics, but I don't see it that way. For instance, what is the discussion on Social Security? It's about the right wing trying to destroy it and sane people trying to stop them. I don't think that much counts as political progress.

In short, it takes a long time for political awareness to build, and right-wing ugliness is short-circuiting the basic process itself. Republicans have to be removed from power, seriously removed, before this country even gets back on track to where people can think about real political progress. And the first step in that process is handing the media their heads. They have to be made to hurt. IOW, the war isn't over yet.

[Catherine Vincent]

12. You and I both.

I will always thank Clinton for being elected which is what prompted me to pay attention to politics.

Thank you President Clinton!

[candy]

13. The rise of mass media and the internet makes us more aware.

[Walt Starr]

14. I've paid attention to politics since I was five

and wanted Bobby Kennedy to be president.

Unfortunately, that wasa not to be and was a rude awakening for a five year old.

[Lindsey]

18. It was the impeachment and the BS about Clinton's sex life

that got me involved. I had always voted but didn't pay attention or get angry until then. During the fiasco of the 2000 selection - I became enraged and have been in this state ever since - I've gone to protests, peace marches, called my congress people, dontated what little money I can, etc. What really opened my eyes the most was the book "Blinded by the Right" which FINALLY explained everything. I haven't been able to stop reading since and probably have ALL of the books that are out now (eventhough I havent' read them all). Unfortunately, I'm not proud to be an American anymore. I don't know what it's going to take for me to be proud again - I know that Kerry will be a start but MAN - have we done some horrific things or what?!?!?!?!? I had no idea.......At some point, I want to be the good guys (again?)......I'm wondering if we ever were.

[kaitykaity]

16. I did, sort of.

I knew the generalities, but not much else. I would have
gone on in the same way had Gore been sworn in. Now I'm a
politics junkie. I have to know everything.

Thank you, George W. Bush.

[Pathwalker]

17. Yes - since Kennedy.

My Grandfather insisted that it was my duty as a citizen to care deeply.

[supernova]

19. I've paid attention since Watergate

when I was 10 or so. I've been politically active since around 87-88 when I was in my mid-20s and living in Maryland.

Welcome to the Club napi21! :thumbsup:

[RebelYell]

20. Hi, I'm new here....

I paid zero attention to politics before I had access to the internet. I didn't fully wake up until 9-11. I've always voted Democrat and will continue to do so until the White House is free of the pox that Bush and his cronies represent. Thank you all for your insightful posts. BTW, I think Clinton was set up.

[1gobluedem]

24. Welcome to DU!

[newyawker99]

26. Hi RebelYell!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[1gobluedem]

21. Yes.

My mother had us licking envelopes and ringing doorbells for Eugene McCarthy when I was eight years old. Politics has been part of our daily lives ever since I can remember.

In fact...the Cuban Missle Crisis is known in our family as "the day Daddy ate dinner in the living room." Our dining room at the time was off to one side of the living room and we always ate during the news. On that particular day, my father just picked up his plate and walked into the living room and sat down in front of the television. I was only three so I don't remember exactly what it was that made him get up and move out there but I do remember thinking he was going to get in trouble because....you didn't eat in the living room. Ever.

[shanti]

22. same here, friend, but it was only AFTER the

selection of *ush that i woke up. in fact, i DETESTED politics...but i've seen the light AND i pass it on whenever i get the chance.

this current crop is INSANE and i really fear for my childrens' future.

[Ernesto]

23. Vietnam did the trick on me

I sheepfully jioned the USMC in '65. Boy did I get an education. By the time I got out, Nixon was in and it was pretty obvious that he sucked hard.... I met John Kerry when he stumped for McGovern @ my college in '72. Little did I know that I was shaking the hand of a future POTUS!...... Send JK some $$$$$, please.

[indigo32]

25. I've always had an interest in politics

from childhood on. My folks discussed such things in front of us, we watched the news. In grade school we had a mock election and I knew exactly why I was voting for Carter instead of Reagan.
In 1988 I graduated from High School and even before I did was involved in doing stuff for the Dukakis campaign. I brought my mother to her first Caucus that year.
I was actually less ACTIVE during the Clinton years... but never stopped paying attention.

[hippiegranny]

27. you were ahead of me

I didn't start paying attention until the (S)election 2000 debacle. I haven't STOPPED paying attention since.

[rucky]

29. Before & After Clinton... but not during

Lewinsky was a lighthearted diversion. now I realize that's the main problem with the party. we're only vigilant when we're getting our asses whooped, and even then it's tough.