Your Biggest Political Influences

[Axl Van Sixx]

Who most influenced the political beliefs you hold today?

This can include public figures like politicians, entrepeneurs, writers, journalists/media personalities, artists, entertainers, historical icons, philosophers, and fictional characters. Or it can be people you know personally, who've influenced you in your own life.

I'm just curious to see where people get their ideas and why.

 

[Hobgoblin]

In terms of a political leader: Teddy Roosevelt. He had the bravery to do what needed to be done for the good of the people by breaking up the trusts.

Personally: One of my Catholic after school teachers. I was forced to go to a sort of Catholic class for public school kids by my parents, even though I've never been particularly religious. I gotta say though, I do respect the aspect of religion that says give to the needy, he who lives by the sword dies by the sword, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, etc.

 

[Lighthouse]

In good ways: Penn Jillette, Christopher Hitchens, John Adams, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell

In bad ways: Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, George W. Bush, Rush Limbaugh, My Parents

 

[hippie_hunter]

Ron Paul forms a lot of my political ideology. I also take a pragmatic stance toward such positions so I often spend my time thinking of how Ron Paul's views can actually be applied as opposed to the face value concepts that will never happen.

 

[Pagan]

Gene Roddenberry
George Carlin

 

[SV Fan]

Not sure if he is an influence but his ramblings are sort of on par with what I believe

Bill Maher

 

[Destructus86]

HMM...I seem to share a lot of the same beliefs as Ron Paul.

 

[Bruce Banner]

Hunter S. Thompson

 

[CConn]

No one currently.

Everyone who's in politics these days are such loud-mouthed, self-righteous blowhards that anything redeeming beliefs they may have are often lost in the static of insults, anger, and foolish exaggeration.

 

[enterthemadness]

HMM...I seem to share a lot of the same beliefs as Ron Paul.

Count me in. I love Ron Paul and Gary Johnson.

 

[Matt]

I'd say FDR.

 

[Scourge2099]

Politically :James K Polk.This dude was awesome. He's the only President , I think , that completed all the objectives he set out to do and he did it all in 4 years. He reestablished the Independent Treasury System , reduced tariffs , acquired the Oregon Country , California and New Mexico. He got the job done that he set out to do.

Entertainment : Gene Roddenberry. While I've grown way to cynical to believe in his utopian future for humanity , I still look to the stars and hope that humanity might over come its flaws.

Writers : Ernest Hemingway. The man had his flaws and he died tragically , but he influenced me positively still. Travel the world and learn from it.

Personally : My grandfather. Always fight for what's right. He's not the same man he once was because alzheimers robbed him of that. Always get the job done no matter how long it takes is what he also taught me.