I think most people drift towards beliefs they findd comforting.  
As to politics, I reckon wanting to be one (of any party) is a symptom of insanity

Notice how politicians actions NEVER match their promises....
 
 

> Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:11:56 -0700
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Taboo Topics
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Rick
> 
> I'm interested in why people think the way they do. I don't know about 
> others, but in my case it was probably my mother, whose word was law. Being 
> a Republican was kind of like a religion, hard to discard. She was an 
> atheist (yes you could be one and a Republican in those days), but she never 
> tried to influence me one way or another about religion. Maybe because 
> force was lacking in this area, our religion was being Republican. Upon 
> reflection I have concluded that politics and religion are similar in that 
> they don't make much sense but people believe in them anyway. As a teacher 
> of controversy in AP classes I made a point to be neutral as I wanted 
> students to think for themselves. I was so involved I forgot to think 
> myself.
> 
> I still so wish these were not taboo topics.
> 
> PS - when Bush 43 banned stem cell research in 2001 my mother and my 
> brother like me were no longer GOPers
> Ray
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Rick McGirr
> Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2012 12:17 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Virginia personhood law
> 
> Thanks for your comments, Ray. I respect you for embracing change, not only
> in medical research but also in your personal views on party politics. I
> also respect you for continuing to live independently, despite your
> difficulties. And I respect your enduring hope demonstrated by your being a
> fountain of information for this group. Thanks for all you do.
> 
> Rick
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rayilyn Brown
> Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 6:57 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Virginia personhood law
> 
> Rick
> 
> You have my complete support. What could be more important to us than
> getting some relief from this cruel disease. I fell yesterday in my kitchen
> 
> and luckily suffered no serious injuries, but for how long?
> 
> It is 2012, not 1312 and we are debating contraception as a campaign issue.
> 
> When I applied for SS disability in 1998 after doing menial jobs to earn my
> credits, due to Reagan's "Double Dipper" law, I had it cut 60% from the
> $400-$500 I earned to $143 a month because I got a poverty level teachers
> pension. I know now that Republican war on the have-nots was in effect
> before Bush 43, but it took his stem cell restrictions to FINALLY get me to
> think about what I really believed. With Tea Party politics we can see what
> 
> conservatives really believe and it does not resemble the GOP I grew up
> with.
> 
> I have noticed the gradual takeover of state governments by conservatives
> like Scott Walker and his union-bashing and all this crazy legislation
> which will, if successful, further stymie stem cell research.
> 
> I am old, but still like it loud and will continue to report their
> activities which do not bode well for us. But what will it take to stop
> this stampede to the Dark Ages?
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Rick McGirr
> Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 12:59 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Virginia personhood law
> 
> Personhood! Peace be with y'all. I know that many members of this listserv
> would like to avoid the issues which are politicizing many conversations
> today. I wish each and every one of you nothing but happiness and good
> health. But I find it very difficult not to respond when dogma threatens
> progress. I shall do so elsewhere, and I'll try not to mention anything
> upsetting here.
> 
> Except for this one, last time. Don't you ever feel that our rights are
> being steamrolled by hysterical hypocrites who would take our laws and our
> understandings back to pre-enlightenment times? Aren't you concerned by the
> fundamentalist threat to liberty represented not by the Taliban, but by
> conservative groups in our own country? Do you know how many directions this
> threat takes in American society? Do you plan to hold your tongue as the
> last of our rights are dismantled, piece by piece? To speak, to support, to
> advocate for ourselves sometimes causes heated debate. That's what our
> system is all about. Are we to keep the conversation nice and soothing
> because we don't like to hear or say words like "embryo", "fetus", "God",
> "democracy", etc? I for one would welcome an increase in volume. But I'm
> just an old rocker. I like it loud.
> 
> I will continue as a member of this worldwide group. I feel that this is a
> special community with a lot to offer. I also feel that we have more at
> stake today than most groups, and it confuses me when people shy away from
> the debate. Yes, these can be subjects upsetting to discuss. I think even
> more upsetting will be our realization that we no longer have a say in
> matters of life, death, science, taxes, and religion, if we disallow our
> voices to be heard.
> 
> But enough from me. I will inform the list if I happen to write anything of
> tolerable quality. This is not goodbye. I will be around. Thank you all for
> your kind attention.
> 
> Rick McGirr
> Buffalo, NY
> 58 yrs old, diagnosed with PD in 2001
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rayilyn Brown
> Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 6:50 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Virginia personhood law
> 
> all 4 Republican candidates support this:
> 
> http://floridaindependent.com/69499/virginia-personhood
> 
> Ray
> Rayilyn Brown
> Past Director AZNPF
> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
> 
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