I'm 70, grew up in SF/Marin. I am the only non-lib in my cohort of family and friends. Of course, most of them are unaware of that. I did start out a lib but had a few epiphanies around the time of my daughter's birth 38 years ago.
What baffles me the most is how incapable my lib cohort is of considering any idea that is contrary to their dogma. Anyone that questions their beliefs makes them angry. Really angry. The Scientology or cult explanation seems plausible but I don't really understand the psychology of cults.
It seems more that their definition of "self" is wrapped up in their beliefs and they are very comfortable with this definition and don't want it disturbed. It has been a reliable source of community and provides a righteous meaning and purpose to life. Are they brainwashed? Useful Idiots? Maybe. If they are, it is largely self-administered and reinforced.
I've never been able to convince my lefty friends and family of anything. Then again, I gave up trying years ago. Some kind of shock therapy may be necessary and Trump might be the electrode on the forehead they need.
Todays leftist landscape seems to be the successful culmination of decades of communists tactics designed to pit us against one another. Stuff like removing religion (Christianity) from society, then legitimizing behavior that is corrosive to society, such as, the sex.revolution of the late 60s, which they won. The divorce rate skyrocketed, kids raised without a Dad, without direction, men started 'using' women instead of protecting them. And leftists are loaded with pride...the sin of pride, that keeps them locked into their way of thinking. They are slaves to their sin.
It is piece by piece. THEY call Trump a danger to "our democracy", yet the left repetitively complains about the electoral college, the senate with only two people per state, repeatedly tries to impeach a legit President, insists that the Supreme Court is unfair because "elections have consequences", tried to remove both Trump and Kennedy from the ballots, tries to remove voter ID for elections, etc.
I think most of us boomers started out as liberals in our youth. It was the cool thing, the new idea, the future. Most people stick with their ideas, unless life experience or exposure to compelling contrary thoughts induces a change.
As they get older, it’s almost impossible for people to consider that many of the ideas they’ve had for their whole adult lives may be wrong. You’d think that intelligent people would be concerned that they are still spewing the same ideas they thought were so profound while they were getting high at 17. But that doesn’t seem to occur to them, or if it does they just think they’ve been right all along.
That’s one of the reasons I was drawn to Sasha’s work. It takes a lot of courage to really examine what you always thought was true.
Very good question. I've thought about this. I was a lefty and don't think I moved to the right because anyone "convinced" me of anything. The reason, I suppose, is that I'm sensitive to bullshit and question things. I had an English teacher in High School whose mission was to provide us with bullshit detectors. He was very serious about this and I took it to heart.
But getting back to your question, I think they convinced me on gay marriage. The last engagements I've had in the realm of "convincing" regarded the debt which I consider, by far, to be our biggest problem, and climate change, which I consider the biggest sack of bullshit of all time.
I don't think they really needed to convince us on anything, including gay marriage. Most conservatives I know, of higher than normal intelligence, want to let people live their own lives, and as long as it's not children or farm animals, we do not care who you share your bed with.
Agree. But with gay marriage I could understand the reasons people opposed it, particularly on religious grounds, so I was ambivalent on whether it should be legal.
If you feel that you have to suppress your opinions so as not to to invoke anger, that kind of says it all about that mindset.
I had a friend with a completely separate, very liberal/ Marxist friend group that I used to be able to have awesome , respectful conversations with …. Until Trump came down the escalator. That’s when the masks were removed and the drawbridges were raised.
The Left became convinced they are "superior". Having a college degree, and reinforcement through all levels of media, they grew a "superiority complex" that has convinced them that they are always correct about all things at all times.
Being challenged by "lesser", when the NYT and WaPo, as well as MSNBC, and CNN are screaming their "correct take" daily, caused them to just loathe the "lesser".
In fact, they dehumanized the "other", the "lesser". They'd just as soon live without us.
They think that they are morally superior because they "care about people". Then they bully "the people" into insane behaviours like men in women's sports to be "fair" to anyone who feels like a woman, special deals for anyone with dark skin because (innocent) whites are eternally guilty of racism, gay black women are triply "oppressed" and should instantly be made CEOs,,,
I was hard-core left until about 2000, when I turned 40 and went through three months of rehab as an addicted anesthesiologist. I was stuck on opioids for about 8 months, but it changed the course of my life. Since then I have been a psychiatrist and addiction doc.
The three months away from everyone allowed me to look at myself and my beliefs. The 'party of women' and the media spent years trashing Clinton's rape accusers/victims. Trailer trash? I became increasingly annoyed by comments like 'tax cuts for the rich', recognizing that until even now, every single tax cut made things more progressive. How do you 'cut taxes' for the 50% of the country who pays NO Federal taxes?
I also saw the difference made by strong presidents like Reagan. I'd even include Clinton and maybe Obama in that category. Somewhere, though, Democrats started offering up people who were very weak on a world stage. Nobody notices that Trump brought home American hostages from Venezuela, Russia, and Afghanistan within weeks as President. The US is in a position to lead the world again, as we have done for most of my life.
My parents and children are very liberal. We were all brought up hearing about 'mean' Republicans. I believe that yes, people now create an identity around their politics, at least on the Left. Years of using D for virtue signaling, to others and to one's self. But once I really looked around, I saw conservatives volunteering and donating. The R's in my county always step up for someone needing help, no matter the person's race or sex. D's seem to have a few select groups, and FEMA showed us that they have no interest in helping people they see as 'on the other side.'
I have seen elsewhere that conservatives are known to volunteer more in the community and donate more to charity than people who identify with the Left. They also have happier marriages and lower rates of mental illness, according to data.
The Left spends all their time making mayhem or ranting into a cellphone camera or attending "resistance" marches.
As one who grew up in the right, my entir family, myself leaning right but more Conservative. I've seen the opposite. Since the mid 2000s i e seen PLENTY of folks who say they're right leaning complaining and with not so great marriages. Both sides are just different sides of the same coin. They accuse each other of doing rhe exact same thing just for different purposes. To use a fictional idea, its like Jedi and Sith. Both want the same thing, peace in the galaxy, but neither agree on how it should come. Jedi think the people can govern themselves and only step in if it gets really bad…the Sith dont think regular citizens are smart enough to gover , and think they need to be controlled
Sasha, thank you. I wrote a comment suggesting you turn this into a full piece and went to bed. I woke up to the I in my inbox. The little elves of the fourth turning work fast. You are the best.
Trump and Musk have exposed the fraud, corruption and warmongering of the Democrat Party?
Will we use that to make a better America by increasing our margins in Congress, or will we become complacent by this time next year and lose the midterms?
I never thought of democrats as tolerant. Hippies. Stupid protests in the 60s. Drugs. I never understood any of it. I raised my kids to make friends based on who they were as individuals. It worked. Then Obama came along, divided us every which way possible and now it’s even worse.
Do you recall in the hippie era, young men were being drafted to fight in Viet Nam where 58,220 of them died in an absolutely useless war? This led to massive protests in the 60s.
Only 25% of the total number of troops in combat zones were drafted. When I was in the Army there were still plenty of Viet Nam vets still in service, and the ones that I spoke to said they were proud of their service. There have been polls showing this.
Also, most Americans were opposed to the protests. In November 1969, a CBS News poll asked Americans if they approved of public protests against the war. Three-quarters said they did not.
"A poll in 1967, the much-hyped "Summer of Love," found that 67% of college-age kids actually supported the war effort and it was only 28% who wanted to withdraw. Among college-age, draft-age young men, the numbers were even higher."
Well, the student's parent were WWII vets who believed that any war the US was involved in MUST be honorable & had not fully realized Viet Nam was a debacle.
The same neocons that sent us to WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and next Iran. We’ve been doing the bankers wars for a hundred years now.
The quote "I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers" is attributed to Smedley D. Butler, a retired United States Marine Corps major general and two-time Medal of Honor recipient.
This is not what we voted for! Kim has an excellent assessment of this “Leak” farce. Why are we at war with Yemen? Obviously for Israel’s sake. Antisemitism is wrong but so is philosemitism where Jews are Gods chosen people who can do no wrong plus it’s not even about Jews. It’s about Zionism which is flat out evil.
Oops! Vance and Hegseth Accidentally Leak War Plans on Signal. (27 min)
My late Uncle Earl who lived to be a 100 who was at Iwo Jima who thought social security was nothing but a Ponzi scheme who thought Hillary was corrupt as fuck but who also loved the lyrics to the song Hair. What can I say? He loved the High Sierras hated the ocean (I can’t blame him) and he loved the Pacino movie And Justice For All. Sasha you would have fallen for him. He was a looker in his youth. Also went to UCLA majored in accounting. Taught night classes at Golden West JC. Loved animals. I guess he was conservative. BUT my point is he didn’t judge. He loved freedom! And the right to
Excellent video report, Sasha. At 71, a former Democrat from MA, I too wrestle with what has happened to classic liberals? Lots of food for thought in your post. This change has been brewing for many, many years. I believe a major factor has been indoctrination instead of education. Social Media on steroids hasn't helped the situation.
I recall a video, my friend the late Andrew Breitbart, published on his website Big Hollywood which helped me better understand things. The History of Political Correctness:
Also, while I appreciate your use of clips, thinking of the "cult aspect" of today's Left (something about the crazy eyes combined with a fever pitch to destroy: See Elon Musk) I am reminded of a powerful movie from 1981, TICKET TO HEAVEN, starring Nick Mancuso. While the subject was religious cults anyone paying attention can see how today's hard Left, which has all but taken over the DNC, is in many ways a cult of warped religion.
Thanks for wrapping up with the clip from HAIR. I had the good fortune to work with Treat Williams on his series EDDIE DODD years ago. A good man who was a most talented soul. Miss him.
Yeah, being a teenager in the 80s you started to get a sense of politics in terms of the switch. MASH started having political messages, Family Ties had messages... But everyone at the ground level talked about everything and led a healthy life. Agree on the Tipper Gore idiocy in Creem magazine, etc. Lefties - the children of the Hippies - were burning flags outside the MEPS center when I raised my right hand.
Many of them, at least among the older generations. Just give everybody money always sounds good. Young people today are seeing the consequences of those ideas, and don’t like what they see. Many are turning away from leftism.
Wow. Well put. It still needs some topping off somewhere. There is something else here in the media. There is an intent about things. Brainwashing gone bad or something....
Then, the character played by Treat Williams grew up and while working for Brandon's administration violated thousands upon thousands of US citizens first amendment rights via third party social media platforms among other trespasses. How did the offspring of the greatest generation turn into the worst generation ever? Probably too broad of a generalization, but too many baby boomers love the power of centralized government and state approved narratives.
My theory: I blame global warming hysteria. It created a constant sense of urgency, of lines drawn, sides taken. This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around. We have to act now, no time to waste, How dare you! You are the enemy if you are not onboard. No free thinking allowed
I enjoyed the letter you included. I grew up at the same time and nearby to the writer, and spent alot of time in the San Lorenzo valley and went to UC Santa Cruz. I actually went for a ride into Zayante ( a hamlet in the area) with actual Hells Angels and they were not fond of hippies. It was not fun, as I brought the prettiest girl along and was never at ease. On the way there, one biker said to a hippy, "Peace, Love, Smell my ass". I'm lucky to have survived my youth!
I'm 70, grew up in SF/Marin. I am the only non-lib in my cohort of family and friends. Of course, most of them are unaware of that. I did start out a lib but had a few epiphanies around the time of my daughter's birth 38 years ago.
What baffles me the most is how incapable my lib cohort is of considering any idea that is contrary to their dogma. Anyone that questions their beliefs makes them angry. Really angry. The Scientology or cult explanation seems plausible but I don't really understand the psychology of cults.
It seems more that their definition of "self" is wrapped up in their beliefs and they are very comfortable with this definition and don't want it disturbed. It has been a reliable source of community and provides a righteous meaning and purpose to life. Are they brainwashed? Useful Idiots? Maybe. If they are, it is largely self-administered and reinforced.
I've never been able to convince my lefty friends and family of anything. Then again, I gave up trying years ago. Some kind of shock therapy may be necessary and Trump might be the electrode on the forehead they need.
Todays leftist landscape seems to be the successful culmination of decades of communists tactics designed to pit us against one another. Stuff like removing religion (Christianity) from society, then legitimizing behavior that is corrosive to society, such as, the sex.revolution of the late 60s, which they won. The divorce rate skyrocketed, kids raised without a Dad, without direction, men started 'using' women instead of protecting them. And leftists are loaded with pride...the sin of pride, that keeps them locked into their way of thinking. They are slaves to their sin.
It is piece by piece. THEY call Trump a danger to "our democracy", yet the left repetitively complains about the electoral college, the senate with only two people per state, repeatedly tries to impeach a legit President, insists that the Supreme Court is unfair because "elections have consequences", tried to remove both Trump and Kennedy from the ballots, tries to remove voter ID for elections, etc.
I think most of us boomers started out as liberals in our youth. It was the cool thing, the new idea, the future. Most people stick with their ideas, unless life experience or exposure to compelling contrary thoughts induces a change.
As they get older, it’s almost impossible for people to consider that many of the ideas they’ve had for their whole adult lives may be wrong. You’d think that intelligent people would be concerned that they are still spewing the same ideas they thought were so profound while they were getting high at 17. But that doesn’t seem to occur to them, or if it does they just think they’ve been right all along.
That’s one of the reasons I was drawn to Sasha’s work. It takes a lot of courage to really examine what you always thought was true.
Have they ever been able to convince you of anything?
Very good question. I've thought about this. I was a lefty and don't think I moved to the right because anyone "convinced" me of anything. The reason, I suppose, is that I'm sensitive to bullshit and question things. I had an English teacher in High School whose mission was to provide us with bullshit detectors. He was very serious about this and I took it to heart.
But getting back to your question, I think they convinced me on gay marriage. The last engagements I've had in the realm of "convincing" regarded the debt which I consider, by far, to be our biggest problem, and climate change, which I consider the biggest sack of bullshit of all time.
I don't think they really needed to convince us on anything, including gay marriage. Most conservatives I know, of higher than normal intelligence, want to let people live their own lives, and as long as it's not children or farm animals, we do not care who you share your bed with.
Agree. But with gay marriage I could understand the reasons people opposed it, particularly on religious grounds, so I was ambivalent on whether it should be legal.
To clarify, I thought it should be legal but an option might be some sort of legal contract rather than "marriage." Then I called bullshit on myself.
They need a "full 220 Volt electrode" to their collective heads...Throw the switch!
You must feel intellectually isolated sometimes.
If you feel that you have to suppress your opinions so as not to to invoke anger, that kind of says it all about that mindset.
I had a friend with a completely separate, very liberal/ Marxist friend group that I used to be able to have awesome , respectful conversations with …. Until Trump came down the escalator. That’s when the masks were removed and the drawbridges were raised.
It’s like you’re reading my mail though.
Trump has revealed the true nature of the Left, which is to throw tantrums until they get their way.
The hatred is insane these people need mental help, I’m not kidding.
Absolutely agree
The Left became convinced they are "superior". Having a college degree, and reinforcement through all levels of media, they grew a "superiority complex" that has convinced them that they are always correct about all things at all times.
Being challenged by "lesser", when the NYT and WaPo, as well as MSNBC, and CNN are screaming their "correct take" daily, caused them to just loathe the "lesser".
In fact, they dehumanized the "other", the "lesser". They'd just as soon live without us.
They think that they are morally superior because they "care about people". Then they bully "the people" into insane behaviours like men in women's sports to be "fair" to anyone who feels like a woman, special deals for anyone with dark skin because (innocent) whites are eternally guilty of racism, gay black women are triply "oppressed" and should instantly be made CEOs,,,
I was hard-core left until about 2000, when I turned 40 and went through three months of rehab as an addicted anesthesiologist. I was stuck on opioids for about 8 months, but it changed the course of my life. Since then I have been a psychiatrist and addiction doc.
The three months away from everyone allowed me to look at myself and my beliefs. The 'party of women' and the media spent years trashing Clinton's rape accusers/victims. Trailer trash? I became increasingly annoyed by comments like 'tax cuts for the rich', recognizing that until even now, every single tax cut made things more progressive. How do you 'cut taxes' for the 50% of the country who pays NO Federal taxes?
I also saw the difference made by strong presidents like Reagan. I'd even include Clinton and maybe Obama in that category. Somewhere, though, Democrats started offering up people who were very weak on a world stage. Nobody notices that Trump brought home American hostages from Venezuela, Russia, and Afghanistan within weeks as President. The US is in a position to lead the world again, as we have done for most of my life.
My parents and children are very liberal. We were all brought up hearing about 'mean' Republicans. I believe that yes, people now create an identity around their politics, at least on the Left. Years of using D for virtue signaling, to others and to one's self. But once I really looked around, I saw conservatives volunteering and donating. The R's in my county always step up for someone needing help, no matter the person's race or sex. D's seem to have a few select groups, and FEMA showed us that they have no interest in helping people they see as 'on the other side.'
I have seen elsewhere that conservatives are known to volunteer more in the community and donate more to charity than people who identify with the Left. They also have happier marriages and lower rates of mental illness, according to data.
The Left spends all their time making mayhem or ranting into a cellphone camera or attending "resistance" marches.
As one who grew up in the right, my entir family, myself leaning right but more Conservative. I've seen the opposite. Since the mid 2000s i e seen PLENTY of folks who say they're right leaning complaining and with not so great marriages. Both sides are just different sides of the same coin. They accuse each other of doing rhe exact same thing just for different purposes. To use a fictional idea, its like Jedi and Sith. Both want the same thing, peace in the galaxy, but neither agree on how it should come. Jedi think the people can govern themselves and only step in if it gets really bad…the Sith dont think regular citizens are smart enough to gover , and think they need to be controlled
Buying into the right/left thing is the problem.
Sasha, thank you. I wrote a comment suggesting you turn this into a full piece and went to bed. I woke up to the I in my inbox. The little elves of the fourth turning work fast. You are the best.
It’s a bonafide state of mental illness.
Trump and Musk have exposed the fraud, corruption and warmongering of the Democrat Party?
Will we use that to make a better America by increasing our margins in Congress, or will we become complacent by this time next year and lose the midterms?
I never thought of democrats as tolerant. Hippies. Stupid protests in the 60s. Drugs. I never understood any of it. I raised my kids to make friends based on who they were as individuals. It worked. Then Obama came along, divided us every which way possible and now it’s even worse.
Do you recall in the hippie era, young men were being drafted to fight in Viet Nam where 58,220 of them died in an absolutely useless war? This led to massive protests in the 60s.
Only 25% of the total number of troops in combat zones were drafted. When I was in the Army there were still plenty of Viet Nam vets still in service, and the ones that I spoke to said they were proud of their service. There have been polls showing this.
Also, most Americans were opposed to the protests. In November 1969, a CBS News poll asked Americans if they approved of public protests against the war. Three-quarters said they did not.
They may have been proud of it, but people at home were treating them with contempt. No one was saying, "Thank you for your service" in those days.
OK, but those surveyed were probably not teenagers eligible for the draft and unable to vote.
"A poll in 1967, the much-hyped "Summer of Love," found that 67% of college-age kids actually supported the war effort and it was only 28% who wanted to withdraw. Among college-age, draft-age young men, the numbers were even higher."
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2024/05/16/james_s_robbins_student_protests_exist_to_mobilize_and_radicalize_students_not_to_change_outcome_of_the_war.html
Well, the student's parent were WWII vets who believed that any war the US was involved in MUST be honorable & had not fully realized Viet Nam was a debacle.
lol...I had friends whose parents were WWII vets, and they were trying their best to keep their boys going into service during Viet Nam.
Yes, it was. Thanks LBJ.
Yes I do
Who sent those young men over there?
The same neocons that sent us to WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and next Iran. We’ve been doing the bankers wars for a hundred years now.
The quote "I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers" is attributed to Smedley D. Butler, a retired United States Marine Corps major general and two-time Medal of Honor recipient.
This is not what we voted for! Kim has an excellent assessment of this “Leak” farce. Why are we at war with Yemen? Obviously for Israel’s sake. Antisemitism is wrong but so is philosemitism where Jews are Gods chosen people who can do no wrong plus it’s not even about Jews. It’s about Zionism which is flat out evil.
Oops! Vance and Hegseth Accidentally Leak War Plans on Signal. (27 min)
Kim Iversen. Mar 24, 2025
https://youtu.be/CXp8kV64R7c?si=!
Gaza’s child amputees struggle with recovery, especially after Israel cutoff of aid.
Yahoo News. AP Mar 25, 2025
https://www.yahoo.com/news/gazas-child-amputees-struggle-recovery-060719545.html
By definition a neocon was not around during the last century of wars.
Sure they were; we just called them bankers then.
We did not know it was useless in the early years.
The protesters of the 60s figured it out.
1969 was hardly the early years, champ.
I meant 60s.
I do
My late Uncle Earl who lived to be a 100 who was at Iwo Jima who thought social security was nothing but a Ponzi scheme who thought Hillary was corrupt as fuck but who also loved the lyrics to the song Hair. What can I say? He loved the High Sierras hated the ocean (I can’t blame him) and he loved the Pacino movie And Justice For All. Sasha you would have fallen for him. He was a looker in his youth. Also went to UCLA majored in accounting. Taught night classes at Golden West JC. Loved animals. I guess he was conservative. BUT my point is he didn’t judge. He loved freedom! And the right to
live free. And think the same!
Excellent video report, Sasha. At 71, a former Democrat from MA, I too wrestle with what has happened to classic liberals? Lots of food for thought in your post. This change has been brewing for many, many years. I believe a major factor has been indoctrination instead of education. Social Media on steroids hasn't helped the situation.
I recall a video, my friend the late Andrew Breitbart, published on his website Big Hollywood which helped me better understand things. The History of Political Correctness:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjaBpVzOohs
Also, while I appreciate your use of clips, thinking of the "cult aspect" of today's Left (something about the crazy eyes combined with a fever pitch to destroy: See Elon Musk) I am reminded of a powerful movie from 1981, TICKET TO HEAVEN, starring Nick Mancuso. While the subject was religious cults anyone paying attention can see how today's hard Left, which has all but taken over the DNC, is in many ways a cult of warped religion.
Thanks for wrapping up with the clip from HAIR. I had the good fortune to work with Treat Williams on his series EDDIE DODD years ago. A good man who was a most talented soul. Miss him.
Yeah, being a teenager in the 80s you started to get a sense of politics in terms of the switch. MASH started having political messages, Family Ties had messages... But everyone at the ground level talked about everything and led a healthy life. Agree on the Tipper Gore idiocy in Creem magazine, etc. Lefties - the children of the Hippies - were burning flags outside the MEPS center when I raised my right hand.
I was there in the early 70's. Didn't know a damn thing but thought I did, and REALLY wanted to be with The Cool Kids. Soon Reality came knocking.
I wonder how many people now on the Center/Right/Right started off on The Left?
Many of them, at least among the older generations. Just give everybody money always sounds good. Young people today are seeing the consequences of those ideas, and don’t like what they see. Many are turning away from leftism.
Wow lol what can you say after that lol?
Wow. Well put. It still needs some topping off somewhere. There is something else here in the media. There is an intent about things. Brainwashing gone bad or something....
Then, the character played by Treat Williams grew up and while working for Brandon's administration violated thousands upon thousands of US citizens first amendment rights via third party social media platforms among other trespasses. How did the offspring of the greatest generation turn into the worst generation ever? Probably too broad of a generalization, but too many baby boomers love the power of centralized government and state approved narratives.
Fantastic! Thank you for this video.
My theory: I blame global warming hysteria. It created a constant sense of urgency, of lines drawn, sides taken. This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around. We have to act now, no time to waste, How dare you! You are the enemy if you are not onboard. No free thinking allowed
I enjoyed the letter you included. I grew up at the same time and nearby to the writer, and spent alot of time in the San Lorenzo valley and went to UC Santa Cruz. I actually went for a ride into Zayante ( a hamlet in the area) with actual Hells Angels and they were not fond of hippies. It was not fun, as I brought the prettiest girl along and was never at ease. On the way there, one biker said to a hippy, "Peace, Love, Smell my ass". I'm lucky to have survived my youth!