Check the Values and the Agenda of the Political Party You Think You Are
A long time ago, in a land far, far away, I found out my father was a Republican. And if he was a Republican, well, that’s what I was too.
For decades I voted the party line. There was only one box I shaded in, and it was the one that said “Republican.” After a while, I started to actually think about who I was voting for, not just what. I began making independent decisions — something most of us never do. But I’ll admit, on the issues I wasn’t up on, I still voted the party.
This little note about Charlton Heston — one of the actors I admired — makes sense to me. Not because he changed from being a Democrat to a Republican, but because of why he changed:
“By the 1980s, Heston supported gun rights and changed his political affiliation from Democratic to Republican. When asked why, he replied, ‘I didn’t change. The Democratic Party changed.’ In 1987, he first registered as a Republican.”
Now, let’s take a step back — because this isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about us.
When I look at MAGA and what they’ve done to the GOP, I feel despair. They’re so extreme I can’t feel ownership of that party anymore. Over the years I’ve probably become more liberal, or maybe I’ve just admitted it to myself. Either way, I don’t consider myself a Republican — not if being Republican means I have to be MAGA.
I have friends on the other side of the fence — long-time Democrats who are not “woke.” We’ve let the extremes take over on both sides.
So, back to the most important political move you can make: discover who you are, not who you thought you were.
There are plenty of political-leaning questionnaires online — some good, some just trying to get your money. Take a couple of them. Don’t be afraid of the labels. They don’t really matter. What matters is that they can give you some insight and help you find a direction based on your beliefs — not Bubba’s, and not Karen from the HOA.
Once you’ve found your center, celebrate. And if you feel generous for the push, I drink Jim Beam.
The Most Important Political Move You Can Make
Check the Values and the Agenda of the Political Party You Think You Are
A long time ago, in a land far, far away, I found out my father was a Republican. And if he was a Republican, well, that’s what I was too.
For decades I voted the party line. There was only one box I shaded in, and it was the one that said “Republican.” After a while, I started to actually think about who I was voting for, not just what. I began making independent decisions — something most of us never do. But I’ll admit, on the issues I wasn’t up on, I still voted the party.
This little note about Charlton Heston — one of the actors I admired — makes sense to me. Not because he changed from being a Democrat to a Republican, but because of why he changed:
“By the 1980s, Heston supported gun rights and changed his political affiliation from Democratic to Republican. When asked why, he replied, ‘I didn’t change. The Democratic Party changed.’ In 1987, he first registered as a Republican.”
Now, let’s take a step back — because this isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about us.
When I look at MAGA and what they’ve done to the GOP, I feel despair. They’re so extreme I can’t feel ownership of that party anymore. Over the years I’ve probably become more liberal, or maybe I’ve just admitted it to myself. Either way, I don’t consider myself a Republican — not if being Republican means I have to be MAGA.
I have friends on the other side of the fence — long-time Democrats who are not “woke.” We’ve let the extremes take over on both sides.
So, back to the most important political move you can make: discover who you are, not who you thought you were.
There are plenty of political-leaning questionnaires online — some good, some just trying to get your money. Take a couple of them. Don’t be afraid of the labels. They don’t really matter. What matters is that they can give you some insight and help you find a direction based on your beliefs — not Bubba’s, and not Karen from the HOA.
Once you’ve found your center, celebrate. And if you feel generous for the push, I drink Jim Beam.
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