As for my political beliefs, those began changing as I realized there was a growing reliance on dirty operatives instead of winning based on ideas for a better country. And I saw early on that people on the Democratic side that were being attacked for failed family values and integrity that in our mind should be disqualified to serve would emerge on our side and be embraced. If a liberal claimed Jewish lasers caused wildfires we’d be howling lefty lunacy. We were all aghast that our children were hearing about oral sex and yet support a rep who tells a reporter to F off.
Remember Limbaugh’s kook test? Yet as time went on, he morphed into pushing the same things that he once said made someone a kook.
Look where we’re at. We’ve become them. And while it’s much more complicated, that is largely why I’ve morphed over the years. I guess to boil it down, conservatives are no longer the honest broker.
I could quibble over a point or two from your post, but I won't. This isn't the time nor the place for that. I'd rather let your post stand as-is.
Thank you for sharing your path; you didn't have to.
-PJ