You know that old saying about youth and liberals and when you grow older you get more conservative?

Question

I believe it was a quote from Winston Churchill.

Anyway, do you know any elderly people? People older than say 70?

If you've ever really sat and chatted with people of this age group don't they actually go back to being more liberal as they reflect on their lives and some of the choices they made being conservative through their 30-60's?

It seems that's more the case from the older people I have known.

Answer 1

I've become more liberal as I've grown older.

But the reality is I'm just for being against.

Answer 2

Wow, that's a stretch! No I've NEVER experienced that in any dealings with geriatrics. Perhaps they were just being polite. The question is, who were they pretending for, you or me?

By the way, I'd say we become less radicalized as we get older. We all move back to the center - which is probably what Winston meant.

Answer 3

Kelly B., How about a 69 3/4 year 'young' mans response?
As I have gotten older, yes, I have broadened my political 'opinions', and view of life in general. ALL of my friends, associates, and those I discuss many various topics with, seem the same way.
It is interesting, at least to me, that the 'more mature' we become (I for one do not like the word/ term 'old'), the more we RESENT BEING 'CONNED, FORCED, INTIMIDATED', by ANYONE attempting to impose their will / attitudes on us !!
Present your case / cause, and we will 'mull it over' and make our own decisions, based on our experiences through out our lives.
More conservative?? That depends on the topic.
More liberal?? Again, depends on the topic.
'Nuff Said?

Answer 4

I think the Actual quote is Francois Guisot's (1787-1874): "Not to be a republican at twenty is proof of want of heart; to be one at thirty is proof of want of head."

It was updated by someone named "Clemenceau" (1841-1929): "Not to be a socialist at twenty is proof of want of heart; to be one at thirty is proof of want of head."

I've heard it attributed to Churchill, and also Benjamin Disraeli.

And of course it is the basis of Rush Limbaugh's claim of Republicans being "Intellectual" and Democrats being "Emotional."

But it doesn't hold up. There are plenty of emotional Conservatives, and plenty of Intellectual Liberals.

And the quote is a barb anyway. The subtext is that Liberals are less mature than Conservatives, which ironically appeals to the heart rather than the head.

I know lots of Liberals and Conservatives of all ages. As someone gets older, they are more likely to temper their political views because they learn more about their own flaws and their political opponents attributes.

And , of course, some people have based their political views on such flimsy grounds that they completely switch sides. But I think that's more the exception than the norm.

Answer 5

I've gotten more liberal, and the old depression era people are pretty liberal because they remember the not so good old days, and many of them think those days on gonna be here again real soon.

Answer 6

Yes, I do know a lot of people in that age group. They're more liberal than a lot of Democrats I know and they largely consider themselves Republicans. Pretty interesting for me to watch.

Answer 7

I know people over 70 who are politically liberal. I think people naturally settle down as they get older but they don't always become conservatives.

Answer 8

I disagree. Maybe it is where you live and I live, or something else, but most of the old people I talk to about politics share conservative values even if they aren't full conservatives and most are.

Answer 9

As they face the inevitable end they remember the life of Liberal Jesus and all those love thy neighbor messages

Answer 10

Yeah but then again I ve found people in that age bracket are whittled down to social security and medic-aid,both Government programs