just curious really...

Restless SoulRestless Soul Posts: 805
edited December 2006 in A Moving Train
This is nothing serious but I have a pet theory that most people’s political leanings are a result of either influence from the views of parents/family and friends, or a direct reaction against their views. I’m interested in hearing about how you all came about believing as you do in terms of your political views. So please can you answer the following questions (in the name of research of course!)

1) Who do you normally favour in terms of voting for a political party?
2) What are the key platforms or ideals that attract you to their cause? (generalising)
3) Why are they important to you?
4) What do your parents vote for?
5) Do you agree with them or disagree and why?
6) What about your siblings and friends?


My answers:
1) I tend to lean left so probably green party or liberal democrats (or Labour but not Blair’s govt!)
2) I like the “caring sharing” nature of the “loony left”: consideration for others and the environment (I’m generalising here!), inclusion of different groups, speaking up for the underdogs of society, realigning poverty etc.
3) They are important to me because I’d rather live in a world like that than one which is harsh, judgementalist or exclusionist, even for people different to myself
4) My dad is usually conservative and my mum labour, but in the last election my dad voted labour and my mum conservative!
5) My dad is actually a lot more laid-back for a conservative guy, whereas my mum is actually pretty rigid and right-wing. In fact some of her views I’d be ashamed of to be honest!
6) My sister is a bit less “left” than me and most of my friends seem pretty much on the right or the middle, it seems. I’ve never asked them this though as none of them are interested in discussing “issues”. Lol

Edit: Sorry if this is in the wrong forum - Mods, please feel free to move if necessary!
"We have to change the concept of patriotism to one of “matriotism” — love of humanity that transcends war. A matriarch would never send her own children off to wars that kill other people’s children." Cindy Sheehan
---
London, Brixton, 14 July 1993
London, Wembley, 1996
London, Wembley, 18 June 2007
London, O2, 18 August 2009
London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 31 July 2012
Milton Keynes Bowl, 11 July 2014
London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 06 June 2017
London, O2, 18 June 2018
London, O2, 17 July 2018
Amsterdam, Afas Live (Ed solo), 09 June 2019
Amsterdam, Afas Live (Ed solo), 10 June 2019



Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • qtegirlqtegirl Posts: 321
    I'm not going to answer each of your questions because that would take too long. But I'll say that I believe that your political choices are a combination of your environment and your own thought process. My mom and I are at complete opposite sides of the spectrum - she is right-wing and deeply religious. I'm left-wing and agnostic at best.

    She grew up in central america, I grew up in the states. When she was young, she was part of the wealthy class. When I was young (due to the war), I was part of the poor class, expatriated and a war refugee growing up in a different country from where I was born. Our experiences are completely different. She hates words like "land reform", "socialism", etc. I think they are great because I believe that my life would have been better had they been in place. In her case, these are the things that took her family's land and prestige away.

    I hope all that makes sense.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    I don't know what my parents' political persuasions are. We've never discussed it. I don't even know what they're registered. That would be the same with any friends or other family. I tend to look at issues independently.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,447
    So either you agree with your parents or you disagree????

    That's some theory. Seems flawless to me. ;)
    hippiemom = goodness
  • onelongsongonelongsong Posts: 3,517
    the last 2 elections i knew who not to vote for. it wasn't support for one but distaste for another. in other words; who would be the worst president; then vote against them.
    as far as the war; the attack waited for a president that would go to war. war brings attention to a cause and sympathisers.
    mum votes for who dad does and i don't ask; they don't tell. secret ballot and all. the time i get to spend with them is quality time which excludes polotics.
    don't know if my sisters even vote. they are money hungry mongers and only interested in themselves.
    what's in a party? if the man is the right man for the job; i will support him. otherwise it's the better of 2 evils.

    this is the right forum for this question. it should bring interesting debate.
  • dg1979usdg1979us Posts: 568
    I agree with my parents on very little. They are both republicans, though not fans of Bush. But since Ive been eligible to vote I have never voted for the same candidate as them.
  • My mom could careless about anything other than herself and I didn't know my dad. She doesn't vote and neither do my sisters and brothers and none of them are political in any way. I'm the oldest of 6. My biggest issue is the grip corporate influence and control has on our government.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • i think your parents shape your early socio-political leanings, but anyone with half a brain (and some interest in this stuff) figures out for themsleves what they think is right.

    i talk to a lot of people who are "conservatives" because their parents are. they can't tell you WHY they are, just THAT they are.

    i think that liberals raised liberal would be more inclined to stay that way as opposed to the other way around. because soomer or later, someone raised republican is going to realize that party is full of shit :)
    those undecided, needn't have faith to be free
Sign In or Register to comment.