This is my first blog, and I decided to write this while watching the Democratic primary results in Indiana and North Carolina. In my younger years, some of my more conservative friends used to call me a quote "suck ass liberal". I was for Jesse Jackson's Presidential bid in 1988, and I truely belived in the goodness of people and that people could individually change the world. as I approach 40 in August, I find myself getting more and more conservative and I am not sure if I could change this if I wanted to. My beliefs now are that the establishment runs the world, and nothing will able to change this. I took my earring out because I thought it was not appropiate for a man my age. To keep the stroy short, I am turning into my dad. I want to be idealistic and I want to try to change the world, but my life experiences are telling me it can't happen. I guess my question is this, is this just a natural by-product of age, or is it just now, if I decide to be radical, the reprocussions will affect my wife and kids, and maybe I don't want to get them involved?
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Reputation: 99
Level: Superstar Since: Jun 11, 2007 
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Posted on: May 8, 2008 7:55 am
Does age kill idealism?Jlee; Age does not kill idealism, experience does. While I have undergone "maturing" personally, I have come to the realization that I may not be able to change the world but that I can certainly change my corner of the world. Focus must be maintained on what can be done and not upon what can not be done. Yes, I'm a "glass half full guy" so there is optimism even past the age of 50. Enjoy your forties, there is plenty of life ahead. Palmettohawk, native Iowan. |
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Reputation: 99
Level: Superstar Since: Jun 28, 2007
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Posted on: May 8, 2008 2:13 pm
Does age kill idealism?PalmettoHawk, very good post. I meant to give you a 5, but I can't work a mouse today and accidently gave you a 4. Sorry. As far as the age killing idealism goes... I hope not. I haven't lost mine yet, but I can see potential for it. Jlee, if anything you should be proud that you have already made it this far. Many people lose their idealism long before that. I think you should consider what PH said and maybe just try to look at things a little differently, and maybe you can keep your idealism going strong for the rest of your life. |
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Reputation: 94
Level: All-Star Since: Apr 1, 2008
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Posted on: May 12, 2008 2:58 pm
Does age kill idealism?JLee, I have to agree with Palmetto Hawk. I think it is just a maturing process. As we get older, we have more to lose. I know I would never do anything to put my wife or daughter at risk, but I have done some stupid things that put myself at risk. I try not to do those things anymore, because I know how it would affect my family. If this makes me more conservative then so be it. I prefer to think of it as being less self-centered. Keep up the faith. Another native Iowan. BTL |
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Reputation: 94
Level: All-Star Since: Feb 4, 2008
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Posted on: May 29, 2008 10:31 pm
Does age kill idealism?My friends and I have noticed that we're getting more and more conservative as we grow older. We have come to the conclusion that since we joined the adult world and got adult jobs, we didn't want the high taxes from our wages to be spent on strangers who came up with excuses to not work and/or chose to mass-produce children with no consequences. I'm definitely not a Bush/Cheney/Halliburton fan, but I do have a stronger dislike for the Kennedys and Clintons of the world. But I don't want to start ranting on politics. To me, they're all morons and the corporations make us vote for the candidates we dislike the least. In conclusion, I miss Ronald Reagan. And keep fighting the power. |
