The Common Man is a regular reader and commenter here on A Lady of Reason. I have enjoyed much of his sensible and insightful comments he’s made on the blog. He’s graciously taken the time and given me the honor of giving me an interview with him over the subject of how he used to be a Democrat, but ultimately turned away from the party. This is his perspective as a fellow conservative.
So, tell me a little about yourself first:
I’ve been a teacher for 41 years at New England schools and colleges. My family members were moderate Democrats. From a young age, I’ve been a part of the workforce and both my upbringing and my present status is that of a middle class working individual. I am married, have a daughter and am a home owner.
In your correspondence with me, you said you used to be a Democrat. Could you tell me a little more about that?
The Democratic Party has changed substantially from the 1960’s to the present. Since that time there have been many changes in the party for the negative. I’ll list some of the major points in no specific order. The continued support of a welfare system initially intended to assist persons and families who were at risk evolved into a lifestyle in poorer communities where we see individuals and families accepting welfare as a substitute for education, training, and employment which would contribute to their towns, cities, and ultimately, the country. The civic leaders of these poorer communities became part of the problem, but furthering programs that allow them to prosper, while creating a dependency in their consistency on the welfare checks, child support checks, food stamps, Section 8 housing, free medical services on and on… All of it being supported by US citizens who actually work and contribute to our society. That imputes the system, and the civic leaders. When my family members immigrated to this country, they were required to have a job waiting for them here in America. They came, they worked, and became American citizens paying taxes, and helping to build their communities as productive people. This was the American Dream. The liberal concept of uncontrolled, wide open borders with an unlimited amount of drain resulting on our schools, medical facilities, police forces, and of course, the taxpayers who pay for it all was not a reality in past years. The Democratic concept of building a voting constituency based upon people entering the country illegally, became a reality. I like all fair minded people became disenchanted with the party.
What were the first inklings of discontent for your support of the party and when did they start to happen?
It started with the Clintons. I began to recognize that Washington was operating above the law and although busy with raising a family and working two jobs, I kept my eyes and ears open for changes within the party. As I saw in more recent times that enemies of the United States, such as Al-Qaeda, became emboldened with a more far left liberal series of changes within the laws. I realized the the obvious that we were providing these types of groups with free reign to come here and make their violent statements. Global powers who seeked to benefit from the willingness of our government to make trade deals that favored them, and weakened America’s economy. When President Obama took office, I had hoped he, being a man of color, we would see a re-imagining of how America assists people of color in impoverished urban settings. In fact, he campaigned to people of color strongly indicating that he would reform their educational systems, they way that they are dealt with in criminal situations, and in general their entire socio-economic challenges. This did not happen. The facts are that he clearly emboldened through direct action, a number of countries while weakening our position militarily, and economically, resulting in huge advantages for them and putting the United States last. This is a globalist, far-left, Marxist series of actions delivered to the American people by a well dressed, well spoken, smooth talking gentleman president.
In brief, what was the eventual tipping point in leaving the Democratic party?
All of this came to a head in the Clinton vs. Trump election for the presidency. When the truth outed that the Clintons had long engaged in elitist, highly questionable practices regarding the law, their finances, fundraising, and use of what can only be termed as underhanded manipulation of the former, I started to have doubts about her as our president. On the other side, Trump, who I’ve always seen as kind of a brute, seemed to be less able to hide his past and who he was as a high powered millionaire businessman, a person who had many women and affairs, and spent time as a celebrity with men’s programming such as the Spike Channel on cable TV, etc. These weaknesses and events seemed to be while troubling, were somehow less so than the Obama-Clinton union. Let me add also that, I grew up in a household with strong women, with a father and grandfather who taught me no prejudices against women, but to admire how strong a woman can be.
The Nation has been polarized greatly since the 2016 Presidential Election. Have you been all that politically active before then? And if not, what made you now?
Here before like many working family men, I was not overly involved in politics. The culmination of all that I have stated above coming to light drew me to become involved on a level a level I had not before.
Much of the Conservative side has been unpopular and greatly censored since. I know I have struggles being a closeted conservative, yet speaking out here on A Lady of Reason. How do you deal with the backlash and vitriol of the radical liberals?
The Democratic party has enjoyed control of the greater majority of all of our media here in America for at least 25 years. Now that real opposition has taken place in the form of the election of a Republican president, the voice of the Democratic party has become increasingly far-left, radical, desperate and divisive. When I fact check what I’m seeing in magazines, newspapers, online and in 95% of the media, I find that the majority of it is untrue. Like most Americans, I will listen to the truth, regardless of what your party is. However, when I am lied to by powers who call themselves quote “news”, I am then compelled to label these entities unreliable and on the payroll of the far-left. This problem is pervasive and as a full time teacher teaching ages four though adult I have observed firsthand the teachers’ union including college professors indoctrinating young people toward an ideology that is politically Left. In essence, quote “growing” a huge constituency of future Democratic voters. It is the mandate of a teacher to instruct their students to learn both sides of any debate, ideology, or faith and then having researched these topics, make their own decisions. This has not happened! These are some of the key points to why I reached the turning point leading me away from the Democratic party and coming to the sad reality that this can no longer be my party.
Have you ever had a negative experience in person with a radical liberal?
I am smart enough and I’m old enough to know that the type of discussion that you have fostered with your important blog will when discussed face to face with this group will ultimately not lead to fair discourse. I have no desire to be accused of being a racist, homophobe, misogynist, and any other number of devices used to shout down any person that presents factual evidence contrary to this growing far left liberal ideology, and as seen in more recent times, beyond that, many if these groups have resorted to physical violence which I will not engage in unless my back is against the wall and a matter of life and death. Therefore I do not put myself in that position. May we hope it never comes to that.
Thank you for your time thus far, but I want to end with one last question: What is your advice for fellow closeted conservatives that want to speak out?
You need to invest time in researching the truth and since you will find overwhelmingly, that your magazines, newspapers, internet and TV is 95% controlled by the Left, you will have a hard time fining the facts. It takes a lot of work to shift through and filter out what is really taking place. Remember that Fascism as seen by Italy’s Mussolini and the 3rd Reich started as a controlling of all that people see and heard in their media. What we’re seeing now is a mass blanketing of all that we see and hear with a far left agenda. If a person is not willing to do the digging, they will be kept in the dark, and worse than that, likely to simply follow in lockstep with what others are doing. In conclusion I’d like to say to you, Lady of Reason, what you have provided us giving voice to topics with factual accounting is crucial. I for one know this is what all of our citizens need in order to make rational decisions for our country’s well-being.
—The Common Man
Thank you Common Man! It was an honor getting to see your perspective! If anyone else wants to have a guest post or an interview, please contact me at aladyofreason@outlook.com and write the topic you want to talk about!