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First of all: Best wishes for the New Year to you all!
Dannng it has been a while! Last time I logged in was 2013 and my status was set 2 years ago! I don't know if any members would even still remember me but I remember many of you. Life has been so insanely busy that I haven't had time to really post and debate on this forum. So today (since it is MLK day and I had a day off), I decided to just log back in, say hello and go down memory lane and all I can do is smile at some memories. To put it into perspective, I became a member in 2008 when I was 19 years old. Now, I am 26 and most definitely have changed to say the least....for the better! Damn, I grewwww up!
To start off, I am no longer that high school kid who just believed everything I was being fed. And I was extremely sheltered by my traditional and strict parents so I had a lot of time to post on these forums to make time fly by. I did not really experience life until college hit me and I met people from all walks of life. I then finally took that step and moved out of my parents house and boy did reality hit me. And then graduation. And now a legit full time job. I am officially an adult now?? (Scary thought !!) Reading back on these old posts and threads, I could not believe how much I have changed over the course of these past years. It was like a time capsule. Your teenage years and 20's really are transformational.
I guess some can argue that I am the living the American dream. Went to a good University and got a job offer the day after commencement. It is not a job that I am all so crazy for but at least it is decent for the area I live in (Detroit/Dearborn area) and pays the bills/rent (refused to move back with parents) and I am saving each month. I remember several members here encouraged me as there was confusion in my life and I cannot thank each and every single one of you enough.
And it may or may not surprise anyone on here but guess who is no longer that crazy wild liberal child? Don't get excited conservatives but I am not quite there either. I am still pro-choice. I am pro gay marriage. I am against religion in the government. But now, I am also pro 2nd Amendment. I am also border control. I am also for less taxes and less spending. I find myself open minded to both sides of the political spectrum and it is more liberating than putting a label on it. Guess it is true that with time, comes wisdom.
I am just starting to see how both parties are two sides of the same coin. I think your perception really does change as you get older and you view your life differently. When you put effort forth to graduate college and begin trying to save money and work hard to start your life but see your tax money spent wastefully, it begins to bother you. When you see people who don't want to work sit around and collecting welfare and whatnot, it does bother you. Corporate welfare begins to **** you off. When you meet others who are working so hard but not able to make a livable wage, it bothers you. It bothers you when people cannot mind their own business and want to interfere in yours when they can't even manage their own lives.
But I think the most important lesson I learned in life that can apply to EVERYONE regardless of political views is to be happy and respect everyone. It took me such a long time to realize that at the end of the day, only you can control your happiness. Be humble. Do good deeds and good will come to you. Smile each and everyday instead of getting upset over things you cannot change (like political opinions ). Be nice to everyone because at the end of the day, our goals are the same. We work, we eat, have families to attend too and errands to run. Stop worrying about the small things and just smell the roses. I am so grateful that I have learned this at a younger age. Some people don't learn until it is too late. There are a lot of growing pains involved in growing up. And when you are a kid, you are convinced you are invincible and know everything. (I sound old...)
What about you all? How has your lives changed in the past couple of years? What is going on with you all? Anyone change political views?
Let's all encourage each other and talk about our lives. It is nice to be in touch with everyone again. Wishing you health and wealth!
Well, 2 years ago I went from full retard teapublican who believed in the "rEVOLution" to a center-left person, much like you, except we were on the opposite side of the fence. Good to see you on the side of normality, there's not very many of us here
When I started on this board I was a hardcore, dyed in the wool American-style Democrat. Now I describe myself as a Socialist Anarchist Libertarian. Basically it means I don't fit into a one neat box tied with a particular color bow.
When I started on this board I was a hardcore, dyed in the wool American-style Democrat. Now I describe myself as a Socialist Anarchist Libertarian. Basically it means I don't fit into a one neat box tied with a particular color bow.
same here. My political views are all over the place. It also depends on what your priorities are. I rank cultural issues very low on my scale, and care more about healthcare, infrastructure, science and technology (especially NASA). I couldn't care much about anything else.
Well, 2 years ago I went from full retard teapublican who believed in the "rEVOLution" to a center-left person, much like you, except we were on the opposite side of the fence. Good to see you on the side of normality, there's not very many of us here
Go and read my posts from 2010 to 2011. Go ahead and rep as you please, been getting a lot of reps lately from my Paultarded views of yesteryear. Refresh your memory
I remember theunbrainwashed's posts very well. I took a break from here for quite awhile and when I came back I was surprised by some of his current posts. (In a good way)
Well, 2 years ago I went from full retard teapublican who believed in the "rEVOLution" to a center-left person, much like you, except we were on the opposite side of the fence. Good to see you on the side of normality, there's not very many of us here
Hey! I remember you!!! I remember making a rude remark back then saying you were thebrainwashed.
Good to see we have changed! Hope all has been well!
Great post OP.
Sounds like you are an Independent. Congratulations --- they are now one third of the voting block and happen to be the most well-educated. Like you, most Independents have realized that both parties are just as corrupt, incompetent, and more beholden to special interests than to the American people. Also, independents usually have values that can cross over parties such as yours do.
Thanks for the refreshing honesty and positivism.
It's good to be in-between. It helps you see issues from both sides better than the people on both sides.
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!!) Reading back on these old posts and threads, I could not believe how much I have changed over the course of these past years. It was like a time capsule. Your teenage years and 20's really are transformational.
). Be nice to everyone because at the end of the day, our goals are the same. We work, we eat, have families to attend too and errands to run. Stop worrying about the small things and just smell the roses. I am so grateful that I have learned this at a younger age. Some people don't learn until it is too late. There are a lot of growing pains involved in growing up. And when you are a kid, you are convinced you are invincible and know everything. 
Wishing you health and wealth!
