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In reply to the discussion: Do you really want to know why some people are MAGAts? Read my story. [View all]Aristus
(66,713 posts)I had a similar, although not quite as extreme, past life as a right-winger.
I grew up in a family of Kennedy-style liberals. Embracing Reagan-style conservatism when I hit high school was my way of rebelling. I voted for Bush Sr. twice. Everyone in my family could tell you it was a bad fit. I was still a liberal underneath. It was while I was in the Army (I joined in a paroxysm of "God Bless The USA!" prime-time-ready patriotism) that my injustice meter got recalibrated. This was during the whole 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' brouhaha. Republicans were screeching from on high against gays serving in the military. And although I'm straight, I burned with the injustice shown to the gay community.
It would be an oversimplification to say I re-embraced my inner liberal there and then. But by the time of the 1994 Mid-terms, I was firmly back in the liberal camp, from which I have not budged to this day. I've been very happy. It must be hard being a Republican, having to live with all that hate. Embracing love, liberalism, and progress is much more fulfilling, and I'm grateful for having seen the light.