How many here used to be conservatives?

[The Straight Story]

43. I was in may ways (registered independent) and it taught me a lot

Like the republicans today are not worth a damn. As I have noted before my grandfather was a republican mayor, my uncle was a democrat mayor.

That there were dems who, in the 90's, were calling for things repubs hated and then embraced and suddenly dems hated.

When I was 18 I was not into politics. So I registered as an independent. I didn't follow a lot of things, but some I did (was young and we didn't have the net back then as you know).

Republicans I knew growing up were pro-worker, so were dems. It was different on the local level in so many ways. Was a fundie for some years over my religion, but was open minded and learned from my mistakes. I was a hater on many levels because of not only the churches and people I associated with but also because I was just plain ignorant of things.

As I have gotten older I am seeing more and more how the parties are alike and less apart in actions when it comes to national levels (again, local is so much different, especially in small towns).

I think this is evident here in Ohio a lot where you can elect republicans on the one hand while voting for a dem president. Folks at a local level can be perfectly sane and reasonable but as they move up they become more about the party whole and not about the people who put them into office.

My ideas don't always map well to either party - your body, your choice is fought by both. Outcome based education (dems)/No child left behind (repubs) - hated both and they are the same.

I stand more for ideals than party, but side with the dem party when it comes to election across the board since they best reflect my ideals and hopes (thought not all in the party do).