Are your political beliefs extremely different from your parents (or your children)? If so, why?

Answer 1

My parents and I tend to agree on most issues. We all consider ourselves conservative, although I may have a bit of a libertarian streak that they don't. In any case, our disagreements are small and few.

Interestingly, the major difference is with my grandparents. Both of my parents grew up in decidedly Democrat households, and my parents are the only members of their respective families to "cross the aisle". In particular both of my grandmothers, whom I respect greatly, have remained steadfast Democrats.

This highlights the difficulty of the "Why?" question. My conservative immediate family and my liberal extended family have very similar religious beliefs, and we all assume that the others have good intentions. So where do the political differences arise?

I think one of the major factors is the big government vs. small government debate. My grandparents believe that the government can take care of the citizens as long as we are willing to accept the higher taxes. My parents and I believe that, regardless of which party is in power, the government is just not very good at allocating money. We'd rather have low taxes, and fund our retirements privately if necessary, than rely on the government to use our money intelligently for our benefit.

Answer 2

My Dad is a wealthy self employed white southern church going man of 86 years. (actually he retired this past year) And though he stood to lose some wealth if the Democrats had gotten control and raised taxes, Dad was willing to allow that in order that Bush didn't send this country down into a pit of debt. Dad was against the invasion of Iraq. And he thought Bush was crazy before he got re-elected. He also was against him in the first election. I was sort of surprised at that. We both thought Perot wasn't such a bad choice either. He has voted Democratic ticket on many occasions. We both liked Wesley Clark in the last election. We both agreee on many issues, although I have historically been rather liberal until I decided to be more Libertarian, which I think is neither liberal or conservative.

I think this shows that not all wealthy, southern older white males don't vote solely to preserve their wealth. Most of these men have been through a hell of a lot in their years and only want what's best for this country and not just what's best for themselves.

Answer 3

Mine are, somewhat, though my father did a lot of changing. We were both Conservatives, especially him being a career US Army officer (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) and my growing up in the military and being 8 years active! It wasn't until after Vietnam my views started changing and it has been reinforced by 40 years of Republican liars! Even my father changed. Things were a lot different in the 1960's and before. We had never had a Bush in my lifetime! Corporate welfare didn't exist and people were not becoming millionaires off of blood money! Though more of a pragmatist I became Independent, though I vote Democrat most of the time. I have voted for Republicans in local races, but never a national one!

Answer 4

My political positions are much different than my Father's.

My Father believes that his religious beliefs should supercede the Constitution.

My Father believes that it is okay if the Preident is a dictator as long as HE is Republican.

My Father would have been a Nazi in 1930's Germany. He would have fought for the south in the Civil War. He would have reported our forefathers to the British.

My Fatner believes that women who have had abortions should be put to death.

My Father believes that homosexuals do not deserve the same rights as he enjoys.

I don't speak with my Father any longer.

Answer 5

I guess the political beliefs change in my family. I remember about 10 years ago they were mad at me because I didn't vote. After 4 years they lost their interest in politics.

Answer 6

Yes,

-
but the eye for the kind of person who might make a good leader is about the same, regardless of politic.

Answer 7

My mother is a registered Democrat (although she hasn't voted that way since the Clinton years.) I'm a card-carrying member of the Libertarian Party. We clash a bit, but most of the time she realizes that I'm right and bows to my superior intellect.

Answer 8

very different my mother is a Democrat I am a Republican.
my older children are ages 21,22,23 and none of the have ever voted for any thing and say that they don't want to vote.

Answer 9

not extreme but i am a liberal democrat and they are conservitve republican. I remeber once I was talking to my dad while I was in high school and he told me I was a conservitve republican. I even lied about who i voted for i voted 4 kerry, he of corse voted bush.

Answer 10

Yes. Why? Because my mother is mentally ill and has been for years. Sadly, she is functional and so she doesn't get the help she needs. I suspect my father knew this, but then, he passed away in '96.