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POLITICS & COMMUNITY

Mogadeet: The core of my beliefs come from my family. My father being the major influence. The next most important is what I have read, mostly history. The more history I read and the more I learn about the world around me, the more conservative I become. I would say that the mix is Family..30% and experiance/learning-70%. Politically I am poles apart from my Father, but we do share core values. The biggest event which impacts my political beliefs is WW-II and the rise of Nazi Germany. The next biggest is the Soviet Union and its impact. The third is my experiance living on the bad side of town in Chicago and Kalamzoo Michigan and interaction with Poor and Welfare people. Finally comes my 20 years on the work force and my experiance with other workers. Current events rounds it out.

Dickj: Sitting on the fringes and evolving beliefs is impossible. In the '50s and '60s, it was possible to sit in the living room and watch the events unfold in the south as race riots surged on the tv. It was possible to see the hatred practiced by those who lived the day-to-day activities; but was difficult to understand if you had not lived the experience. Political belief is environmental in its inception, and internal in its embryonic growth. How does one confront personal freedom if brought up in a home with non-english speaking servants? Or live across the street from the shacks and poverty of the Rio Grande valley. "How much money do I have to have to be a conservative," stated by Paula Poundstone, exactly mirrors my political position. I watched that '60 era debacle and made the decision never to hate like that. I would rather be liberal and give -- than conservative and take. I will not enslave my fellow man. (My words.)

mhart: >From parents and spiritual guidance.

uscg: Fed up: The new world order and the selling out of our country from within has shaped my beliefs. More and more everyday the government is getting to involved in what we once called freedom. From waco to affirmitive action it is very clear to those of us who can see what our government is doing. One of these days the government will regret treading all over us. It is time we all band together and stop this political machine. Maybe a good start would be sending Clinton and most certainly his wife back to little rock, and get Pat in there!!

Luka: My parents, in a roundabout way, and TV. Sad but true. My parents taught me certain values, and being a rebel, I did the opposite. My dad was a democrat, I stated independent. My dad worried about the budget, my platforms were abortion and the environment. TV enforced my opinons, actually by covering both sides so I could favor one and shun the other. My beliefs don't change that often, but when they do, it wasn't from people persuasion - it was from that gray box in front of my couch.

MADMAC: My current political beliefs? Ohhh... Very negative towards the "talking heads" that plague our capital. The porkers feed at the public trough sucking in salaries, perks, and huge pensions that are unheard of in the "real" world. They are out of touch, living in a make-believe world of fantasy and power. They are selling our futures and raping our planet in the name of "progress." How did I get my views? I've watched friends, productive members of our society, go to jail for victimless crimes. I've seen lives shattered by a government that is waging war on its own people. The war on drugs is a war on civil liberties and a war on the citizens of the United States of America. Billions of dollars are funding this self-perpetuating industry. But I digress... I read the paper and watch the news... it is absurd to me that so many people walk around with their rose-colored glasses on... As long as they have their job and their paycheck they could care less about what is happening in the world around them. And everybody wants a piece of the federal pie. Hey! Wake up! You're spending your own money! So many people our age don't vote. Stupid. We're being controlled by a generation that thought Ozzie and Harriet was a little too wild... Yeesh.

jlewis: Having liberal, even radical, political beliefs in my twenties and thirties (I was a delegate to the 1972 Democratic Convention) and serving as a member of the executive staff (Press, speeches, communications, strategy) for a Democratic governor, I watched and analyzed from the inside, and came reluctantly but ineluctibly to the conclusion that liberal politics, while appealing to the emotions, were an utter failure in dealing with both international and domestic issues. The race issue has been allowed to degenerate into something quite desperate, I'm afraid, and most other issues have also proved intractable to liberal solutions. Values and character are a nexus that are completely foreign to the liberal mentality, and these concern me more and more. Thus it was that I changed my party affiliation in 1980, voted for Reagan, fell in love with Maggie Thatcher, and have seen myself descend or ascend to a fairly conservative position in the interim. I still care about the same issues: race relations, black emancipation.

wilmer: Before being critical of our present political beliefs I must first look around at other countries? Are any of these countries better off than we are? Must be something was done right right here. I believe that we grew into the greatest nation in the world by having the will and determination to achieve and thus prosper. What galls me is that to many government has become a god that we must be dependent upon. There was a time when politicians served for the betterment of the country, but today's crop of bozos are only interested in what does it take to become re-elected. Who do I have to buy to get votes. What tax money, (yours and mine) can I spend to fund this project that will make me look good back home. What can I take credit for that I had nothing to do with, and on and on. I don't think term limits is the answer, but isn't it our responsibility to elect those who best serve? Term limits are another cop out that take away our responsibility to vote on issues not image.

JackM: Political beliefs? First came public service; then came politicians. Some are good, but their numbers seem to be declining. On the local level, I vote for those I think will do the best job for the area in which I live. Nationally, I vote for the best 3rd party candidate available. Often, I'll vote for the "ranking" 3rd party candidate in hopes of changing, "politics as usual". I am always amazed that presidential candidates are elected by people who debate which one is the "lesser of evils". Yet, they will not vote for a 3rd party candidate they believe is good, because the media says the candidate doesn't have a chance. Well, phooey! (that's "pc", isn't it?) Everyone one disgruntled with "politics as usual" should vote between anyone NOT republican or democrat. We'd see change. I believe good change. Democrats and republicans would attempt to change, or at least sell us they did. After 10 years, of change; I'd give them a review. They're not all bad, but we do need change.

beyet: Professor from Robert H's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress gave me my political outlook. My party became the rational anarchist party of one.

MerkinX: My parents, political indoctrination through school and the books and magazines that I filled my head with.

Durst: My parents were most influential early on, however, since then I have adapted my own religious views. Basically, I added a few liberal touches to their strict belief system.

cupofjoe: My teachers in elementary through high school. From WWII veterans to pioneers in the just then forming feminist movement they taught me that independent thought is the most valuable "posession" a person could have. They encouraged critical reading of a wide variety of texts, forming an opinion and discussion of those opinions. I also learned that regardless of the politics involved, someone elses' informed opinion is valuable and worth listening to, uninformed or emotionally based opinion is suspect. I saw that instead of arguing to see who was right it was better to work with your "opponents" and come up with what is best -- "best" is what's right, not what "I" or "you" think. My teachers ranged in political philosophy from Nixon consertatives to wide-eyed liberals, but they all had the same message -- the Constitution and Bill of Rights provide the best avenue to individual growth and accomplishment. Change should come through respect for each other and by working together, not fighting. I know this all sounds sickengly sweet, like red, white and blue apple, but hey, you're the one who asked.

From my mom I learned that keeping your commitments (in her case it was our family) and working hard at what you believe in will bring about joy and success. Mom was a "Single Head of Household," Dad was a "deadbeat dad," and my sister and I were "latchkey children" a decade before any of those terms were ever invented. For a time we were a welfare family. From my mother I saw that these social handicaps didn't mean that we could live like slobs, that we didn't have to do good in school, or that we had a good excuse for not being successful.

From the TV I learned that sex will sell anything, the world is a mean ugly place (watch a sitcom and you'll feel better), and if if there's no easily identifiable controversy you can't sell soap (even with the sex). In other words, I have no respect for TV journalism.

Selyf: Religious and political position evolved over the last 40 years of my 48 years on this planet. I have become a wiccan in basic belief system, a nature worshiper, aware of Goddess and God and find the origanl Judaic system very archaic. My political views have changed very slowly and I now find I tend to side with the depressed, homeless. I believe that our government has stepped over its orginal intent (naturally, having all those neat e-mail address at *.*.gov I have let various members of my representation know that I feel like my ancestors - taxation without representation). The internet will be the awakening of America and hopefully will overcome the "dumbing down of America" which has been beaten into our society by the government, new media, and especially television. My dreams are for a society which can lift itself above the governmental religious contol that the Christian Coalition and other right wingers hope to achieve. "MORE POWER TO TRIPOD AND SIMILAR GROUPS."

matthews: Myself and the bible.

kat_holt: Obviously my parents political stands influence me, but the rest of my family (my aunts, uncles, grandparents) have completely opposite opinions. The only thing everyone agrees on is that all politicians are liars. I have an open mind for most political parties, but I've had many heated arguments (ie screaming matches) with my friends at school on a lot of issues. I would have to say, I form my own beliefs from the facts as they appear to me, and I'm not afraid to listen to other views in case I hear something I don't like.

Ramses: There is not one single influence on my political beliefs. I do believe that my relgious beliefs have led me to be more conservative. My parents were Democrats when I was younger and now they are Republicans. I too am a Republican. However, we don't vote for the same people or have the same interpertations all the time. I also developed my opinions from political readings and speeches. I now write for a conservative publication at my college. Political writings are very important. I think that more people should read them. There is too much apathy.

OlegDrake: First of all I think that the biggest influences on my beliefs were newspaper and TV. I am not saying that I have believed them word for word. But my opinion was formed big time with their help. Before I can tell that I believe in something I always have to find all information about it and then analyze if it's worthy of my attention.

potiphar: Most of mine came from my high school and college instructors. I have come to be just the opposite of many of them, though. As I get older, I think that the trials we go though have a great impact on us.

kevin27: My beliefs come from my own personal opinion. I chose a religion I am comfortable with, that is Satanism. I believe in doing what I please and not having to kiss up to people my whole life. I thank my parents for not making me believe in a religion and giving me my freedom of choice. As I go on in life my opinion about my beliefs may change and I like to know that if that happens I can believe in whatever I feel like, and not have the pressure of someone telling that I must believe in a certain religion. Thank you.

KNTPUT: My political beliefs have been shaped by life. It has only been the last ten years with the advent of conservative talk show hosts that I was able to put a label on my beliefs.

chrisz: Like many of my beliefs, my political outlook was first influenced by my parents and then school. But I have learned most from the greatest teacher of all - the school of life - including the mass media. As a kid, I remember witnessing the Viet Nam war on TV, with daily body counts and news footage of 19-year-olds wounded and crying to their mothers. These images were juxtaposed with the ideals of the original Star Trek, with many races and cultures working together for a common goal, and not interfering with others' pursuits. I have a friend who was wounded at Kent State, and another wounded in 'Nam. No single image or event has shaped my beliefs, rather the sum total of them, which I check against my own personal intuition and inner guide - its origin still a mystery, yet it is a strong voice that influences my beliefs most. Chris Sheridan http://www.public.asu.edu/~chrisz

JHoldun: I was brought up in a working class section of New York City. It was the sixties and the liberal viewpoint held sway both in Washington D.C. and in the city. My parents couldn't afford to take even a short family vacation, no less send me or my sister to summer camp. A program was passed in the city which provided money to send inner city welfare kids to summer camp for a few weeks. I vividly remember the fustration and anger my father expressed at having to work hard and pay taxes so someone else's kids could have the experiences that he couldn't afford to give his own kids. This and similar events fostered my strong anti- liberal political outlook. Government has no right to pick the pocket of the working class in order to provide non-essential benefits for the welfare class.

Darkwolf: Watching life unfold, I have noticed that certain branches of the government steadily try to deprive the American public of it's rights... It is because of this that my political beliefs are shaped the way they are.

Steppin: Life, the music of Rush, fantasy novels, and the books of Ayn Rand all worked together to mold my belief system. I consider myself to be a right leaning Libertarian but without the anarchism.

vbridges: I believe events seen and/or experienced influenced my political beliefs. I was a teenager during the Vietnam War. My father was an Officer in the military. We were stationed in Japan for 2 years of high school. I met a few servicemen before they went to Vietnam. I also saw these same servicemen when they returned to Japan for R&R.; The vast change in their demeanor and personality had an everlasting impact on me. I think this was the first major situation in which I didn't understand what had gone wrong and how it could be changed. It was so sad to see happy go lucky men return a few months later...who sat with their heads down and looked bewildered. Quite an impact! Within two years, I was in college and experienced the powerful emotions of young adults. 18 year olds were first given the right to vote then.

kronie: My beliefs came to me via a mail order catalog. Although they seemed to be the beliefs of the masses, they were so easy to get and required no burden on me. That is the greatness of todays society. We no longer have to think for ourselves evidently. All we have to do is let others tell us what to believe. It's so easy! This has been a satirical political commentary by the everblessed kronie.

spleen: My poltical views were heavily influenced by the works of Baukunin and Kropotkin as well as Dostoyevsky. The lack of an acceptable form of government elsewhere in the world (let alone here in the US) has also contributed to my lack of faith in politics.

JCooper: My family and the media (tv, papers).

mrkite: I'm not sure if I even have any beliefs left in my head. A voter since age 18, I never missed and election until latley. Now I don't even bother with it. I know, as I used to say, if you don't vote you can't complain. My opinion is, they're only in there for their own gain they don't give a flying hoot about us, the US population. I still keep up on political current affairs, nonetheless. It's a waste of energy to think anyone will change it now. The trade treaty really sold out us american manufactures. My family in the past was always involved with the small town politics and some good did come from it for the community, but really it was a way to get in good with the big politics so there would be ins for state jobs. I never got anything out of it except tired feet from standing at the polls all day. Bottom line is they are all crooks and none of them deserve my vote. I really feel sorry for the younger people fresh out of school with a whole life a head of them. Me,I do what I want work here for awhile and quit and enjoy myself. Then get some other job for awhile. I'm not lazy, but want to enjoy life. The politics of now really suck and they're not going to beat me into the ground. Thanks for listening. Have a good LIFE!

glennbo: Glennbo: I grew up in Massachusetts in the 60's. Liberal Heaven! Bobbie Kennedy was my hero, despite 2 Republican parents. I was only 10 when Martin Luther King & Kennedy were gunned down, but they both had a profound influence on my belief system.

markevin: A good education - for that and little else I thank my parents. I am a recovered Catholic - I came from a very dysfunctional situation involving prolonged emotional, sexual, and physical abuse. I slept through high school because I was trying to numb out with drugs - yet still graduated in the top 20 in my class. After 12 years of private Catholic school, I received a scholarship to one of the top ten universities in the country. I was "asked to leave" after three semesters, because I had failed to deal with my childhood trauma. It is now five years after I was asked to leave school due to a nervous breakdown. I am currently employed by one of the "Big 6" consulting firms in computer support, making almost $40k a year, which is pretty much unheard of for a 24 year old with no college degree. This is only because I have managed to use the tools I was given by God, Buddha, or whichever you like to call the love and power in all of us. I see now that the patriarchal, self serving brainwashing that goes on in the name of religion is at the core of our political problem in this country. No one benefits from the conception of nuclear family that our policitians have beaten to death - especially the aspect of it that treats women and children as PROPERTY, not individuals. Children my sister's age (17) and even younger shoot each other in the streets every day while the "old boys' club" sucks our nation dry. We have a pathetic educational system!! Unless we can appreciate Unity through Diversity, our country has no hope. I feel like my and my sister's generations are the last chance to save us all from the Pharisees and Saducees who run our government and Churches. These people who have taken the life story of a great man, and "translated" it to serve their agenda. These are the people who sell you quick relief from your guilt about evil in the world - they sugarcoat the world and package it as redemption, and people are more than happy At the core of it is our transition from the micro-analytical thinking given us by Descartes, to the only philosophy that can issue us through the era of technology - Systems Thinking. Rent a movie called Mindwalk or take a philosophy course. The whole thing only works BECAUSE all of its parts are SO DIVERSE not in spite of it. We have to stop this narrow minded patriarchal "family values" thinking if we plan to save our children and our world. One major thing I had to come to terms with, after years of sexual and emotional abuse from family members and priests, was the fact that I am homosexual. And no, it didn't "make me gay" - in fact, you can ask my sister, as well as my three cousins, who are all heterosexual and victims of this same abuse. I'm supposed to be inherently evil, yet I'm one of the most practical and humanitarian people I know. I give my time and money to worthy causes - non profit organizations fighting for our children, our environment, and equality in the world. I plan to change the system from the inside - and you can't do anything about it, because I'm white, and 40 (or more!) hours a week I'm wearing a suit and tie, working downtown in one of the biggest cities in the country, looking like an ad for Mr. All American and learning all I can about what makes people tick.