Have your political views changed since joining America's Debate? Have you come to any great realizations, or have learned anything worth noting?

Feel free to post your thoughts and observations from the last year in this topic.

I have learned:

That people cannot be easily categorized. That I must not stereotype people on the basis of their opinions.

That I am most comfortable with the label of "liberal." That I am most comfortable without any political party.

That I am most certain about my opinion on social matters. That I am least certain about my opinion on economic matters.

That I am most swayed by gentleness; I am a fly to be caught with honey rather than vinegar. That I am most likely to persuade with admission of my uncertainties; you are horses to be tamed with whispers.

Randomness…

I have learned that there is always much, much more to learn, and I enjoy the process as much as I enjoy the result.

My political views have changed since I first joined America's Debate in the sense that I have many liberal ideals, but I find myself frequently favouring libertarian methodology to achieve those ideals. This has been a source of confusion for me at times, but it has also been a bit of a revelation.

My greatest weakness as far as debate….economics, but I'm learning.

Also, like Victoria, I'm much more easily swayed by kindness and diplomacy. I admire tact and a willingness to try to understand the opposition, and I can warmly embrace those who are not like myself ideologically as long as they treat me with an equal amount of respect. America's Debate has a lot of respectful members.

Oh yeah….and I learned that Platypi have electroreceptors! Thanks Platypus!

I have discovered I learn more by reading the psts than by answering them...

I think my political views have changed a little. For example, i have gone from Republican to Independent because there are some things that the Republicans do that i don't agree with but still think they have some good ideas. Bush's environmental policies are not good but his foreign policies are good

America's Debate has also taught me that swearing won't work in a debate & that i need to be more rational

Lastly, America's Debate has gotten me to get into an argument more & debate more logically & add more to a debate without using 3 words as a response

What I Have Learned

I have larned you cant categorize anybody. I use to hate the views of the librels and the democratic views on society, but since i joined this forum, i have learned that i infact do support minimal views of the democrats and largley support the republican
Thank you AD for the fun time

juber

I have learned to respect others opinions and have made some good friends in America.
Above all I have learned an important lesson.........Debating won't change the World.
However it does afford clues as to why it can't.

Regards.......Alan

I have learned that all of my efforts at self-control in the area of civil debate on AD create a build up that turn me into a flagrant punster, conversation derailer, and general disturbance in the chat room.

I also have learned that my friends at the local bar now like me more because I no longer have the need to speak politics around them and reveal the political chasms separating all of us trying to escape a week or work frustration on Friday afternoon.

yeah I agree with that...



although theres something to be said for thinking things out on your own (& doing research) and creating a response also.

I think there are definitely areas I am more comfortable debating in and ones I tend to read and watch as opposed to jump in more. I hope that over the next year I will become more confident and well rounded in that respect.

I have learned to keep my anger (i have a nasty temper when provoked) from entering the debating arena and getting me into trouble

I would have to aggre with this. I too have a nasty temper.

I have learned to not curse at people, and follow rules.

I shifted a wee bit more right.

CP

I think the biggest impact for me personally is being able to rationally lay out a case for my views.

I used to be just : I am right!

Now I can prove it more effectively!!

It's good exercise to be called upon and provide reasons and information to substantiate why you believe what you believe. It brings clarity of thought and some personal revelations.

and makes you study the issues more....

I thought that I was in serious danger of becoming a liberal.
But when I go to those sites that give the positions of liberals, I know that I will at the worst become just slightly left of Moderate, and no further.
Conservativism has changed and left me behind, and debating issues here has brought that to my attention.