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Buddhism
October 2009 
The Crunch Factor
Sean
For some reason, I just couldn’t bring myself to any kind of association with being a Democrat, probably because of Rush’s brainwashing of my tender, 19-year-old mind. Democrats were lazy and just wanted to create a huge welfare state. They wanted to raise taxes and give everyone a special entitlement. In my mind, a Democrat was the ugliest thing anyone could be.
But now look at me. I’m on the verge of becoming a hippie. I think our government has a responsibility to put the needs of the environment above the needs of Corporate America. Instead of being the only Superpower, I think we should instead focus on doing what we can to help our fellow man in the poorest parts of the planet. I even go to yoga class. I mediate, and I don’t go to a Christian church. And I recycle. And I gave up meat!
What happened?
I guess I grew up and grew a heart. I care about my fellow man, not the amount of money in my bank account. And I came to view the Earth as this wonderful place that supports 6+ billion people and not as a source for the raw materials that we need to make our lives easier, our air dirtier and our children fatter.
But does all of that make me right? Is my view the “right view?” The only view?
Of course not. Which brings me back to my question: what happened to make me change?
Access: Public
Whatever happened that opened the door to change, it gives me so much hope to know that change can happen in the way it did for you.
You know, it's funny, because all of my family who still lives down there tends to be pretty Conservative (capital “C”), even though they are obviously accepting of my, their gay family member.
Still, I wonder where these things come from. It's clear that people tend to follow in the footsteps of their parents, be it related to religion or political thought. You go with what you know, right? So why do some people strike out and find something different?
What's the opposite example of my own? Someone who was raised by hippies who grew up and turned to the right. I know people who have done that.
I dunno. My brain tells me not to be so attached to the issue.