The Older I Get the More Liberal (and Conservative) I Get
I am evolving as I age. I feel as if my views on life have been getting sharper and my perspective far better. I guess that comes with age. I used to think a lot of myself as an accomplished “young president” and now appreciate how little I really knew. I now know what I don’t know (which is a lot). But I am unafraid to admit when I have no clue about something and willing to seek knowledge. We are all unique so I realize I am merely a sample of one in a large study of behavior of aging boomers, but I suspect some of my thinking is consistent with others who are starting to be more reflective.
I do find my views on life are becoming more polarized. I am both getting more liberal and conservative at the same time.
On the liberal side:
1. I have growing compassion for those in need, and disdain for those who look down their nose at those less fortunate they are. No one seeks poverty.
2. I have more patience with seniors (duh, I am one). I respect the dignity that seniors are trying to maintain as they get discounted.
3. Though I am not a religious sort, I am far more spiritual and reflective than I have been. Yet, I see zealous devotion to religion as largely divisive.
4. Though it’s a complicated issue, I believe climate change is the most important issue our nation (and the world) faces and don’t understand why anyone would poo-poo the obvious worldwide societal implications.
5. I believe our government has an obligation to its citizens to provide basic services and universal health care
6. I worry about the growing polarization of rich and poor and the inevitable implications for societal unrest that lays ahead in the near future if not addressed more successfully.
On the conservative side:
1. I am personally frugal and don’t respect those who overspend their means. This holds true in business as well.
2. On a macro governmental basis, I also feel our spending is out of whack and needs to be trimmed (while revenue needs to be enhanced). I don’t feel however that social service programs are the villain here.
3. I abhor zealots of all kinds on all issues (except for zealous Yankees fans & Deadheads).
4. Though I am far more technologically savvy and interested than virtually everyone my age, yet I believe technology is eroding some of our basic values.
5. I still believe in the power of conversation, physical interaction far more than electronic messaging. In fact, I think electronic messaging is often the cause of issues and miscommunication. (PS: Ever “win” an email or Facebook argument?)
6. I have never been patient, even in my youth, and have growing impatience with stupidity and won’t accept people blowing smoke up my butt.
I am not totally sure that all these thoughts align or that they are radical changes in my personal DNA. I do think about them more than ever, and perhaps merely advancing age makes me, and all of us, a more pronounced version of what we already have been.
More Strumings
- “When Will You Retire, Lonny?”
- How to Win an Online Political Argument
- The Day Anne Murray Got Bruuuuuuuced.
- Experience Matters.
