Has anyone ever changed your mind on a key issue?

Question

Recently, I got into a debate with someone over illegal immigration. I pointed out the economic implications of illegal immigration, and he pointed out the fact that there are more important things than money.

My complete views on it are here:
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-wtQ_hdY9crK0Ko4Z7dpfurCUXQFdnA--?cq=1&p=23

I used to be all gung-ho about deporting illegal immigrants, but now I think that their health and well-being is more important than my pocketbook. What do you think?

And has anyone ever changed your mind, on here or in your personal life, on what you thought was a big issue? If so, what issue was it, and what argument did they use to change your mind?

Answer 1

Yes, actually. When I first came on here, I was a Conservative opposed to the Iraq invasion. I now understand why we cannot leave. I still have my issues with the invasion, but I do not think anyone lied.

There are so many Liberals, stuck on the initial invasion, playing arm-chair quarter-back, and I think they are missing the point of where we are now.

I have a ton of respect for you for admitting your unsureness about the immigration issue. I too have issues with it. The people shouting for deportation seem both unaware of the costs and reality of deportation, as well as the inhumaneness of it. The jury is still out for me on illegal immigration.

I'll add that it does seem sad that everything boils down to money these days, but this issue can be addressed both humanely and monetarily, in my opinion, and I think people are failing to realize that amnesty is an effort to do that.

Answer 2

That's a powerful blog, well written, and I don't dispute any of which you wrote. There is a human rights side of the illegal immigration issue that is touching, especially since a good many of them are innocent people and children in search of a better life. I struggle with this issue as well, however, when I think about the horrible conditions in their native countries, then consider the amount of foreign aid the USA pours into them, I can't help but think where is the money going? The answer is probably: to corrupt gov't officials. This is where the UN should step in, except that it in itself is corrupt as well. There was a time when the USA was not an ideal place either and we stepped up to the plate, revolted and changed things. It's time the people of these other countries stepped up to the plate in the name of human rights. Sorry, but the USA simply can't handle ALL of the burden. This is how I rectify my doubts.

Answer 3

Yes. Ten years ago, I was about as liberal a person as there ever was. I believed, in particular, that the races were equal. What I didn't realize, because I'd failed to examine myself to see where my beliefs came from, is that I'd been induced by the ambient culture to accept the moralistic fallacy as a valid means of pursuing the truth.

The moralistic fallacy is what happens when someone begins his assessment of the world with an appeal to his moral sense, and, once his preferred moral views have shown him what "ought to be," the liberal transforms it into what IS. For example, the races "ought to be" equal because it would be "unfair" for them to be unequal. Therefore (applying the moralistic fallacy), they are equals.

A debate in 1997 with Dr. William Pierce made me aware of how I'd carelessly formed some of my political views. He gave me my introduction to the facts about race that, previously, I'd been unconsciously evading.

I guess that I was an unusual liberal. Most liberals, on the losing side of a debate as I was, would try to silence their opponent with censorship; failing that, would suddenly flounce away from the debate after making loud, ad hominem declarations regarding his opponent.

On the other hand, I was a physicist, as Dr. Pierce had been before he switched to a career as a political activist, and scientists are somewhat accustomed to watching someone shoot down their theories. While being disproved is never a pleasant event, a scientist learns not to take it so personally.

So I was able to make the epistemological shift from moral dogmatism to scientific empiricism as the foundation for my racial beliefs, and a simultaneous political change in those beliefs became necessary. I was no longer a liberal racial egalitarian; I became a racist.

Answer 4

I would say that no one on this site has changed my mind on my overall view of an issue, but a big YES to some people from both sides who have pointed out things that I should know on certain issues.

So, sometimes, my view has been drawn more towards a compromise and has not completely changed direction.

But to be honest, most of the time people just polarize my view more after hearing their insanity and insults.

Answer 5

Yes, when the facts justify that change. But let me ask you something. Would it be okay for your neighbor who has less than you and is maybe facing mortgage foreclosure to endanger his children and to take from you and yours? When you have to pay to educate your children via property taxes and school fees, is it okay for your neighbor to lie on the forms and claim poverty to get a free education? Is it okay for any U.S. Citizen to commit welfare fraud because of their circumstances? Really, we could justify middle income people lying on forms because they can't afford the real estate taxes; they are getting higher prices, poisoned food, etc. but if they lie on forms, they get punished for fraud and dependent upon the number of forms that are signed in that manner, the number of years in prison and the number of counts of fraud are determined. Yes, there are more important things than money. But shouldn't those things be morals, ethics, obeying the laws, and doing your best for your country, loyalty to God and Country, etc.? Do you know how many U.S. Citizens don't have healthcare and how many are giving up food to pay their real estate taxes? Do you know how many U.S. Citizens won't go to the doctor because they can't afford the copayment for the doctor's visit and the deductible (which is generally $250 to $500 per year for at least two people -- that's not much less than the $1,000 that the illegal immigrants might pay in fines under the newly proposed bill). Do you know how many homeless veterans we have in the United States? Why are we treating traitors and insincere, immoral, unethical, liars better than we treat our own? Are you allowed to pick and choose which laws you would obey? What if you didn't want to get a driver's license? What if you didn't want to get insurance? What if you decided to petition your town to ignore federal law and give all U.S. Citizens special breaks? What if it was your identity that these illegals stole? That's what's going on today and that's why most of us are up in arms about the illegal immigrant issue. These people can't be trusted. Would you trust a liar and a thief to live in your house or would you want your children growing up with people who teach their children how to evade the law and how to get what they want through illegal means? If you did, your children would probably be taken from you by the law -- contributing to the delinquency of a minor, etc. Maybe you should rethink your position. Without the law, it doesn't matter whether you have money or not. It means that anyone can do anything they want if they are the "chosen" group.

Answer 6

Good question. Really.

I've had my mind changed on minor issues. But with regard to the ones I consider most important, no, no one has ever been able to change my mind. I developed my stand on those issues after much thought and examination. Although there are those people out there who feel a specific way about something because they belong to a certain political party and that's how they're supposed to feel... I'm not one of those people. There are several major issues with which my own values deviate from those of my party.

I feel very strongly about my stand on what I consider to be the "major" issues, so no, no one has yet been able to change my mind. I'm willing to debate, though.

Answer 7

Yep.

I've gotten into a lot of debates on guns (me arguing that they should be severely restricted or banned).

But after a lot of such talk, I realized I had to respect the second amendment if I was going to expect better enforcement of the other amendments I am fond of.

That being said, I still think that there are no rights which come without some kind of restriction or responsibilities.

Answer 8

Back when Bush had high aprovval ratings and everyone who didn't love him was a traitor, and didn't really like, well a lot less than everyone else anyway( even though i am a conservative). But now that somemany people dislike him, i actually like him more, meaning that i am called a traitor for liking the president.

By the way: You have to give any person who is elected to the presidency twice some credit. You can find flaws in any presidents leadership, but i'd like to see the liberals who complain about him do any bette.

Answer 9

This Question, just changed my freakin;' mind. I use to think that most people have some form of decency about `em. But to use EVERY cause. To bash this Poresident. Or any other President. Simply because it isn't of their chosen Party? Is just freakin' wrong!! I'm sorry to go off on a rant. But this name-calling, needs to stop. And especially when it's all for Political back-stabbing! Geepers Creekpers!

Answer 10

Yes, I've changed my mind on Amnesty. I was all for the '86 Amnesty, I'm dead-set against the current one. What convinced me? The effects of the '86 Amnesty. Like the current one, it promised reform and increased border protection in return for Amnesty. It delivered Amnesty, no reform, and 12 million additional new illegals.