How old were you when you became interested in politics? Have your political views changed since then?

Answer 1

I became interested when I joined the military at age 22. Before that I had voted in the first presidential race I could, and boy do I regret voting for Dukakis. I leaned to the left at that time, but after I joined the military and learned more about how things really work and how they SHOULD work, I started switching over to the more correct conservative views. I remain conservative, without being "right wing", to this day and I probably always will.

Answer 2

I was about 14, but the Vietnam War was raging and it was hard NOT to be interested in what was going on in this country. Though I really didn't get well informed until Watergate. That's what really set me off on an interest in politics that has only increased over the years. I became a very young political cynic after Watergate and it took me years before I was able to be anything but derisive about our government. Studying history helped me deal with that. Nixon didn't seem such an isolated case of corruption after I studied our history fully. My political views changed from being a full out leftie liberal until I was about 25, to then becoming an Independent who tried to look at all views more carefully, to last week when I left the Independent Party and joined the Democratic Party. I've ended up becoming a moderate Democrat, and I suspect that's where my political leanings will settle for the remainder of my life. For me, it's a strange switch, because after the age of 25 I voted Republican more often than not. But what I have observed in the Republican Party over the last 7 years has disgusted me to the point that I can't imagine ever voting for another Republican in my lifetime. Enough so that I made the switch from Independent to Democrat after 25 years of being content to not be partisan.

Answer 3

Late teens early twenties. If he were alive my grandfather would have disowned me for voting for ANY Republican. He was a real Yellow Dog Democrat.

My Father was a Conservative Democrat. But conservative more than Democrat.

Me, I'm pretty much a conservative but not hard line. The more Liberals tell me how I'm to think the more conservative I get. I don't care if the person is Democrat or Republican. I want to know how they react when someone disagrees with them. If they want to start fighting because you disagree with them, what ever they say I'll ignore.

Don't tell me you are a free thinker if your minds is closed to the thoughts of others.

Give me real free thinking, not something that is the current fad. Take global warming for example. Does it exist? Sure. It's been going on with the exception of a few blips since the peak of the last Ice Age. Mother Nature has more control of it than man ever will. Deal with it.

Has my stance changed over the years? Yep, If your stance hasn't changed some you are stagnant.

Answer 4

Here I am at the ripe old age of 60. The first President that I can say I really paid attention to was John Kennedy. I thought he was such a fine man and his ideas were really good. However, he was the last democrat I would have voted for. I did not vote for him (I was 16 when he died) but I would have if I could have. Since I became old enough to vote (and I have voted in every presidential election since I turned 21) I have either voted republican or independent. I was a young liberal but now I am an old conservative.

Answer 5

I became somewhat interested in politics at age 10. I was in fifth grade and we followed the 1976 election with my social studies teacher. It faded and became renewed in 1979 with Iran taking the hostages and the 1980 election. I considered myself a moderate back than (I supported Jon Anderson for president) , but now with how divided our nation has become with liberal vs conservatives I am definitely more liberal (I truly like Al Frankin and Michael Moore, they seem to speak to me) but I still have many moderate leanings. In terms of voting, it has been consistant since I was 18 years old: Mondale, Dukais, Clinton, Clinton, Gore, Kerry and very likely soon to be Clinton again, and never had any regrets at all.

P.S. I love your question, it is interesting reading all the responses without having to agree or disagree!! It boogles my mind how someone can give this type an answer thumps up or down. It is not that type of question!

Answer 6

My father always followed politics so I was introduced to them at a very young age. I cannot remember a time when they did not seem to be present.

I have always admired my father and adopted his political views. Once I had more experiences in the real world and I was able to see things from other peoples vantage points I have changed some of my political beliefs. Others have been reinforced.

Answer 7

Started to follow it at eleven with candidacy of Kennedy for President almost impossible going to Catholic School not to follow it. At this time was optimistic who believe much said in press by government, and didn't know about liberal and conservative. Fifteen because of Vietnam started to question somethings said. The Head Start Program and Peace Corp made me life long liberal. Was too dumb to know true power play called Watergate. Since than been cynic that votes.

Answer 8

I was 20 and I became intrested in politics because of the 2000 Election Debacle. I was more liberal then, but I've become more conservative since I've gotten out of school and started working and supporting myself.

Answer 9

When I was in college I am 19 and I have a subject in constitution since my country loves "dirty politics" I really become aware of what is really the construction of our goverment and how should it be. And I found out that we really have good form of goverment IF ONLY our political leaders are genuine through their position sadly its opposite in how it should be

Answer 10

Yes, I have been swayed by the numerous intellects, scholars, fellows, and the like that flood the answers politics category.