Quote:
Originally Posted by Neal Stevens
 Wow, you've come a long way, my friend. There was a time years ago when I suspected you a Socialist.  I agree, the US is not really the US as it was on its path to its current/fading glory. |
I remember some opportunities you probably have on mind, and you are right - I have changed some views I once held up. Sometimes I take my time to do so. But when reality forces me to see that I got something wrong, then I do adapt for sure. I just hate to change my mind just to do somebody else a favour.
And believe it or not, a few answers of yours in long since gone discussion have had their impact on me for sure. It's just that they detonated with a delayed fuze. Your innocent naturalness by which you once asked me in a return argument why you should see it as your obligation to pay taxes for the demands of other people - that got me completely unprepared, and I never have forgotten it. Back then I somewhat snapped, or was disgusted (-> empört). Today - I cover you.
Yes, on some things I have done a very long intellectual journey. My attitude towards "state" and "social responsibility", and Islam being the two most obvious examples. It is not necessarily a bad thing, however: you have come to see things from both sides, and then know even better why in the end you refuse the one and accept the other.
A "socialist" by the meaning of the word however I have never been, not even in my teen years. 
My teen years' folly was that I admired Reagan back then. No joke. Anothert thing I have dramatically changed...