Just went to visit my parents-They have moved far to the Left under Bush

[BayCityProgressive]

so my parents are in their mid 40's and have always been rather faithful union but conservative Democrats. In recent months they have moved steadily to the left and have a deep seated hatred of George Bush and the GOP, but also some conservative Dems now as well. They oppose the war and went to their first ever protest in january. They went with me to the DC protest. They loved it and are going with me to the one on the 17th now as well. We were talking politics today and my parents were in disgust with the healthcare system, privatization, and education in our country. I asked them who they were backing for president. They had never heard of Kucinich but said they were backing Obama.

My dad, once a huge supporter of the Clinton's no longer views them very favorably. He thinks Bill sold us down the river with NAFTA and in hindsight now thinks welfare reform is bad after initially supporting it. They don't think that Hillary would fundementally change the course our country is on. They have caught on to the games of the corporate press and were appalled by the absence of coverage on the Jan 27th protest. My mom also hates Ann Coulter and pointed out that she never sees Michael Moore on tv but always sees "the psycho bitch".

Here is the real kicker: I have always considered myself a socialist but have NEVER spoken to my parents about it because I felt they would not support it. My dad said today "I think now that maybe the Soviets were partially right..maybe we do need some kind of socialism in this country. My mom stated that she was disgusted that people were homeless in DC while Bush and Cheney are millionares...she says tax the rich until there are no more poor or homeless...make healthcare, education, housing all rights. Considering the fact my parents have never been left wing or really political I was in shock. Have others experienced things like this? Are the American people completely disgusted and sick of our system?

[rurallib]

1. Mom, Dad welcome! Plenty of room over here

Good intelligent folks to talk to who have real solutions to very real problems

[ninkasi]

2. I love it!

Your parents are the same age as my oldest child. I welcome them to the progressive, liberal wing of the Democratic party. Tell your parents that a woman old enough to be their mother says that they are right!

[Forkboy]

3. My mother is further left than I am (scary,ain't it?)

and my dad was a centrist until King George came in.Both hate Bush with a passion (though my father's real hate is Romney,who makes my dad's forehead vein stand out) :)

Sadly,and against all logic or reason,my sister is heading the other way.

[illinoisprogressive]

4. I've been hearing of republicans moving left and supporting Obama.

Bush has moved the country to the left. My mom was always left but, my dad, a reagan republican hard is now an independent.
Maybe you should introduce them to blogs!!

[BayCityProgressive]

5. I was thinking about

introducing them to DSA.

[tnlefty]

6. Nothing quite as dramatic as your experience, but one of my

mother's friends (of 25+ yrs) had a conversion and hers was pre-Katrina. She stated that George Bush** had turned her into a democrat for at least the next 4 election cycles, if she lived that long.

My repub mother, who voted for Dimson** and went along with his warmongering bushit** was absolutely giddy when the dems took control of the House and Senate. She was stating that maybe someone would finally let "him" (like Voldemort in the Harry Potter books, she won't even mention bush** by name anymore) know that he can't just do whatever he wants anymore. Her issues were more with Iraq, breaking the law, not being held accountable, and wiping his ass with the Constitution and The Bill of Rights.

I don't think she's quite on the liberal side yet, but she is pissed.