Radical Self-Revolution

Sampson1986 · 08-23-2007, 11:55 AM

Weird title I know. But I have a serious question for all you VGF members.

How many of you have undergone a radical self change and what inspired it?

Around the time I turned 19, I went from being the poster boy of radical Republican conservatism to being a laissez-faire libertarian. The biggest factor in this self-revolution was youth rights. I came to realize that it was unfair to expect the 16-20 year olds of this country to pay taxes and face the possibility of being conscripted (for the guys 18+ anyway) but not to be able to enjoy the "rights" of somebody 21+. Soon, I got to be cynical of government involvement in personal decisions and lifestyles regardless of age. At 21, I still hold these laissez-faire political views.

Now for everybody else to share their stories...

ETA: It doesn't have to pertain to just politics or religion.

**Wyborn** · 08-23-2007, 12:02 PM

I mean, is that...is that really that big a change? Isn't libertarianism considered conservative?

Sampson1986 · 08-23-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyborn

I mean, is that...is that really that big a change? Isn't libertarianism considered conservative?

No. A common misconception about libertarianism (small l) is that it is a right or left wing philosophy. It is neither, yet it combines elements of both.

To me it was a big change. I went from being Jerry Falwell to being Ron Paul in a short period of time.

Princess Zelda of Hyrule · 08-23-2007, 12:30 PM

I was ferociously fundamentalist until I entered high school. Then I became an exploring theist because of an inspiring history teacher, returned to Christianity my senior year, and now believe God lives in us as He lives in Christ.

Benito Mussolini · 09-26-2007, 04:48 AM

Generally all Republicans go Libertarian or all Libertarians go Republican, eventually.

Though, one thing is for certain; all Trotskyists go Republican some day too!

Kil'jaeden · 09-26-2007, 05:01 PM

At some point I became a lot less introverted than I used to be. Mainly because of two friends. I am still a bit, but it is a huge step up.

In around 8th grade, my religious perspective changed quite a bit. It was not a nice process for me at first, because I constantly felt guilty, but I finally just accepted what was going through my mind.

I lost 120 pounds at one point, which I suppose is a radical change. Allows for more activity.

My temper is a bit better now, I've mellowed out. But I still can have outbursts.

08-23-2007, 11:55 AM	#1
Sampson1986 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Glacier County, Montana Gender: Posts: 323 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts Points: 11,579.70 Bank: 585.83 Total Points: 12,165.53 Donate	Radical Self-Revolution Weird title I know. But I have a serious question for all you VGF members. How many of you have undergone a radical self change and what inspired it? Around the time I turned 19, I went from being the poster boy of radical Republican conservatism to being a laissez-faire libertarian. The biggest factor in this self-revolution was youth rights. I came to realize that it was unfair to expect the 16-20 year olds of this country to pay taxes and face the possibility of being conscripted (for the guys 18+ anyway) but not to be able to enjoy the "rights" of somebody 21+. Soon, I got to be cynical of government involvement in personal decisions and lifestyles regardless of age. At 21, I still hold these laissez-faire political views. Now for everybody else to share their stories... ETA: It doesn't have to pertain to just politics or religion.

08-23-2007, 12:02 PM	#2
Wyborn Zelda Mod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: All over the place Gender: Posts: 12,326 Thanks: 86 Thanked 439 Times in 269 Posts Points: 17,621.94 Bank: 82,155.51 Total Points: 99,777.45 Donate	I mean, is that...is that really that big a change? Isn't libertarianism considered conservative?

08-23-2007, 12:30 PM	#4
Princess Zelda of Hyrule Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Hyrule Castle Gender: Posts: 6,128 Thanks: 35 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts Points: 7,525.36 Bank: 500.00 Total Points: 8,025.36 Donate	I was ferociously fundamentalist until I entered high school. Then I became an exploring theist because of an inspiring history teacher, returned to Christianity my senior year, and now believe God lives in us as He lives in Christ.

09-26-2007, 04:48 AM	#5
Benito Mussolini Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Gender: Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Points: 2,004.82 Bank: 510.00 Total Points: 2,514.82 Donate	Generally all Republicans go Libertarian or all Libertarians go Republican, eventually. Though, one thing is for certain; all Trotskyists go Republican some day too!

09-26-2007, 05:01 PM	#6
Kil'jaeden Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: in your mind Gender: Posts: 1,473 Thanks: 19 Thanked 40 Times in 31 Posts Points: 10,531.78 Bank: 1,148.62 Total Points: 11,680.40 Donate	At some point I became a lot less introverted than I used to be. Mainly because of two friends. I am still a bit, but it is a huge step up. In around 8th grade, my religious perspective changed quite a bit. It was not a nice process for me at first, because I constantly felt guilty, but I finally just accepted what was going through my mind. I lost 120 pounds at one point, which I suppose is a radical change. Allows for more activity. My temper is a bit better now, I've mellowed out. But I still can have outbursts.