Your parents' political stance (Iraq, global warming, Reagan, illegal)

[tvdxer]

What were your parents' political stances, and what effect did they have on you?

My father was a staunch Republican with a libertarian edge. He thought that the government collected too much in revenue and spent way too much on welfare, opposed any infringements on his Second Amendment rights, and hated affirmative action. He often called into local conservative as well as liberal talk radio shows (back when they existed!) and even knew a few of the hosts on a first-name basis. He was vehemently opposed to the Clinton administration, thought global warming and other environmental issues were mostly shams, supported the War on Iraq (although he first had questions about it), and told me that I was not going on my high school Spanish class trip to Costa Rica if Kerry was elected. He started out rather liberal on social issues, with the exception of gay rights, but moved further towards the right in that respect around the time of his conversion to Catholicism, my mother's religion.

As for her, she was not really political at all, concentrating more on being a mother. She mostly just tagged along with my dad, except she was always really opposed to abortion. Her father was/is a strong supporter of the Democratic party.

My political beliefs from around the time I first had them (at the Bush v. Clinton election, when I was in kindergarten) until when I was 11 years old were roughly the same as my father's. Beginning when I was 11, I began to question many of his stances, as I had a religious "revival" experience which led me to disagree with him on such issues as aid to third-world countries, and later the U.S.'s involvement in Iraq.

[CouponDad]

I just know we don't agree and I want very little government interference in my life. I did get my mother to vote for RP in 2008 and 2012 primaries. Neither really pays attention to much to politics unless it directly interferes with their life.Oh and they have had NO affect on me politically wise. I make my own mind up and 90% of the time I am the one turning them on to new things like RP. I have gone farther to the libertarian side of things so much so every time we try to discuss politics it just ends up in an argument..my mother may listen for a certain amount of time but me and my father just don't agree. Like this year he is gonna vote for Romney simply because he has blind rage for Obama...we agree Obama isn't a citizen but my dad just hates the man for him not being a citizen and being president...not sure he truly knows what he has done in office none of which I agree with but meh...just glad I am not like my parents in this aspect.I always wondered where I get my interest in politics because no one else in my family is interested in them. I always have been.

[Randomstudent]

My mom is a socialist feminist (though also very in favor of being tough on crime) and my father is a progressive Democrat. I am probably the most conservative on in my immediate family and that isn't saying much since I am a liberal Democrat. I basically agree with my parents on most stuff and they probably did a lot to shape my views.

[JordanJP]

My dad is politically apathetic, though he voted for Obama in 2008. He voted for Barack without educating himself about Obama's views, though, basically just a vote for his personality.

My mom is a sort of liberal wannabe hippie type. She's never really cared a whole lot about politics either, but she always yapped at the TV when the news was on and they were talking politics... Led to some interesting differences in opinion between us.

I'm socially liberal and fiscally conservative, bordering on Libertarianism. I'm technically a registered Republican, but I am very moderate on some things and somewhat hardline on others. I support immigration reform for those who want to enter legally, but think the illegal immigration thing needs to be reviewed and fixed (perhaps a 2-year work visa for simple unskilled laborers, with a mandatory one-year break between periods and a mandatory return home?), think that gays should be allowed to marry, women should be allowed to choose what they do with their bodies, support gun laws more or less as they are (really as long as they don't become anything more restrictive, I'm good), etc.

I generally don't talk politics with family because as with any political discussion, there are points where someone gets so steamed they have to walk away in order to avoid really losing it (like my alcoholic uncle or my mom do on occasion).

[joebaldknobber]

Mom a Southern Democrat, my dad Republican.

I can't recall one political conversation when I was growing up.

[Three Wolves In Snow]

One was Dem, one was Repub. All I know is one voted for Carter, one voted for Reagan. One went to church, one stayed home and drank chocolate milk while we kids had to go to church, too. Don't recall a lot of political talk. Do remember when Reagan was shot, there was none of this BS you see these days with some people of parties, (either side), gloating about, making jokes and thinking it's all funny when something happens to someone they didn't vote for. The t.v. was on for days and they both cared, very much, regardless that one was a Dem.

In other words, they showed respect towards each other despite their differences. Something I hardly ever see anymore in this day. They may not have agreed or liked certain decisions but they didn't become divisive over it. And they sure as hell would never have come on to a public forum and aired their beliefs nor trash talked anyone for not thinking the same way or similar. Which...is probably smart not to talk about it because I think I've only reached two people in my life time, everyone else, their mind is made up and the insults start and it's a horrific waste of time.

[Katarina Witt]

My father was a "Main Street" Republican. He was an elected official in our little burg. He loved local politics, and said they didn't get too hung up on party labels on the council. He became more liberal as time went on. Funny, DH and I were just talking tonight about what he may have thought of Obama. He died in 1996.

My mom was a registered Republican, but a little more liberal on some things than my dad. She helped with voter registration drives and the like, and served on the local recreation board. She too became more liberal as time went on. She died in 1999.

[whogo]

Parents switched from being moderate Democrats to moderate Republicans when the Democrats picked McGovern as a nominee.

[shpanda]

My mom I guess would be a republican leaning centrist. My dad doesn't really understand politics.

[Tymberwulf]

I really have no idea what my parent's political leanings are, I was taught by them at a very young age that there are three things you don't discuss with anyone other than your wife:

1. Sex
2. Religion
3. Politics

I have stuck with this rule for a long time now and it seems to work out pretty well for me (except when I am behind a keyboard, but that isn't talking is it?)