More people than I can count have asked me, “How were you able to break away from the republican party so easily?” First, yes…leaving was easy, but I won’t even pretend that the consequences have been as easy. Worth it, yes…just not easy. So, here’s the answer. Since 1987, I’ve had the habit of making sure I keep myself in the know with what the the people who oppose what I believe are saying. I grew up in a small rural community in the Midwest. I took what the 5,000 or so residents believed as the “gospel.” Whatever the collective “wisdom” said, well…that must have been the truth. I mean, I grew up around these people, and knew at least 2500 of them on a first name basis. However, after I graduated, I moved to a Midwest metropolitan area. “Wait. These people are weird. They don’t get it.” I thought at first. Soon enough though, I started seeing that, hey….maybe there is another side to what I’ve always heard.” Then I moved several states away. Then to the west coast. Finally, I to the island of Guam. Each time, my world view was…well becoming a world view, and was no longer limited to just a “small rural town in Missouri” view. Having broken out of that original “bubble” of my upbringing, I found that there was always more information to take in…on any issue that might be up for discussion. Information that was helpful in making a more educated decision. For some reason, however, the idea of looking at the other side of politics….just didn’t happen until I was about thirty-five years old. Up until then, I moved around enough that I really didn’t vote in local elections. I just faithfully voted in the Presidential & midterm elections. The relative infrequency of voting once every couple of years, while serving in the Navy & living abroad, provided enough of a buffer that looking beyond my own party, at that time, just wasn’t something that had been on my radar. From thirty-five on, however, while I still identified as a republican, I was starting to watch a little bit of left leaning news channels, and reading some of the same. I actually voted for Barrack Obama in 2008. I thought he was intelligent, articulate and brought an element of a more youthful attitude…while still being very mature where it mattered. As much as any other reason, however, I thought this was the man who could serve as a symbol of “This country is moving forward regarding race.” I wanted to play a small role in helping that attitude sweep across the nation. I felt it was long overdue. By 2012, my republican roots had influenced me once again. By that time, I had now lost a number of close friends in combat, and was still fairly connected to military life….I just wanted retribution for the lives that had been taken from my world, and the best way to do that was through aggressive combat action. I voted for Romney, the republican on the ticket. Having reached a point with my grief, that I knew I needed to work through it, I found a counselor who I knew and trusted, and started going through the process of healing. In 2015, a good friend of mine had asked me to provide some guidance for the local republican party committee, I agreed. We were long time friends. I was spending so much time immersed in assisting the committee, that I was swept up in the energy that was sweeping through the republican party. It’s really about as simple as that. Two years in, I was already speaking out colorfully against Trump. My former close friends were pulling away quickly. I didn’t care. The man was a clear and present danger to the country. Then, COVID hit. Something inside of me broke. It snapped. I watched the republican party stand by and say nothing as he botched every aspect of the “response” to COVID. It got worse from there. As you now know, it got MUCH worse. That experience cleared my slate to a “blank.” I started over, from scratch. Since that time, I have voted blue in every election, from National down to local.
@thejackhopkins I have a question that maybe you can answer. You've spoken about why you DIDN'T vote red. Is that the only reason you vote blue now, or are there policies and ideas you like? I was smack dab center most of my life. But now? It seems like D's are maintaining the entire spectrum.
There are a BUNCH of reasons I vote blue now, and don’t vote red. I don’t vote red because I have witnessed a party sell their souls to the devil…for power. I voted blue, because when that something inside of me “broke” I went back to square one, questioned every belief I had regarding politics, and found that while I may not be in 100% agreeable with every blue policy, I’m far enough “in” to count as “I support it” and more aligned with the party as a whole….MUCH more than I am with the red party.
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor I thought both parties were equally corrupt. Paid little attn my tv was on Fox, annoyed with all the screaming but didn’t change the channel. I voted for the orange menace in 16 bc I thought adults in the GOP would keep him in check. They didn’t & I’m now bluer than a Smurf.
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor The point you make here is gigantic. And I’ve said it more than once. I didn’t abandon my republican values. The GOP abandoned them.
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor Thank you Jack It has been nice reading this and getting to know you better. I can relate to much of what you said. Especially about listening to all sides to be in the know . Again thank you.
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor So your switch from red to blue was just since covid, a few years ago? I think if maga read your story, it would let them know it's good to be open to info from other sources and make your own decision from there. It would also show them it is not unusual to switch and it's ok.
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor Thank you for this honest explanation of your journey. I wish you well. Welcome 🙏🏼🩵
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor I listened to your interview on @BadBradRSR ...and was so amazed at all of your experiences. You are quite a man. Your quest brought you to a place of country over party...a place of honor. I love that you came from Farmers. Salt of the earth. Honored to know you.
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor I used to be Republican and didn't like the choices in one election. Now I vote independent. But thinking about going all the way to blue. I do not want to live under dictatorship. And I feel that's where red is heading. They are power seeking. And that worries me.
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor Trumpiness has destroyed family relationships for me…I despise him for that and all the other damage he has done…to all of us…
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor Also former rep. Grew up in a Chicago suburb w/a closet John Birch Mom & closet Holocaust denier Dad. Read all their pamphlets, none made sense. Voted for Nixon & reps until Bush created DHS/TSA, switched to libertarian (I'm in TX). Saw TFG for what he was. Gleefully voted D.
@thejackhopkins @catjanitor I was never interested in politics. Grew up in a Republican family but married a democrat. My husband died in 2010 at 54 from cancer. When Trump inserted himself about McCain, I knew he was evil and a narcissist.