Has the last four years made a political junkie out of you?

[LiberteToujours]

I know it has for me. Before 2000, I didn't follow politics at all. Heck, I was cheering for Bush in the primaries because I thought it would be cool to have another Bush as president! (I wised up by the time he was up against Gore, however).

But the last four years have made me totally political. I feel strongly that I will be this way for the rest of my life. I will never be able to let my guard down again, and I will continue to feel it is my responsibility to keep friends and family informed.

[NightTrain]

1. Actually, I've been a political junkie since the '80s.

But that's just me!

[Skittles]

2. yes

I've always had an interest in politics but the theft of the 2000 election made me obsessed.

[Quadrajet]

3. *Raises hand*

I knew where I stood on the issues, and voted appropriately since I was 18 (36 now), but, yes the last 4 years have really made a political junkie out of me. My Dad is a conservative, so now we have more stuff to argue about over the holidays LOL.

[gumby]

4. Limbaugh did it for me

I couldn't believe that a Nazi spokesman would become sooooo popular in a supposed "free" and "educated" society. Now it's all Nazi all the time, and I learned all about it from Rush.

Nazi-hate-radio=luv-Bush. That's where the "mainstream" is now.

The situation that this country finds itself in is truly sad.

Limbaugh was the canary in the mineshaft. The canary died as Limbaugh makes millions and left the rest of us to a very precarious fate.

[Reverend_Smitty]

5. It has for me...

I was only 16 during the 2000 election, and I remember getting upset because the media was constantly slamming Gore (the internet comment, him and Tipper at the convention). I have always had liberal tendencies but by the time the election rolled around I was sporting a Gore/Lieberman button on my backpack, and by the time of the Florida re-count I was a hard core political junkie. I've never looked back since!

[Amigust]

6. Shrub pushed me over the edge and I couldn't keep quiet

any longer, so I started working on my first news blog in April.

[d_b]

7. Iraq did it for me

Anyone here participate in the February 15th protest(s)? I got a nasty ass flu from that protest, but it was worth it!

[LSdemocrat]

8. I was one already, but I've stopped getting political news from television

[NoodleBoy]

9. I was a political junkie-in-training at the time

ramping myself up to learn more and more by the time I could vote. It seemed like I was the only one in my grade who knew the issues at hand, and one of two (haven't talked to him since graduation, talked like a hard-core Green) who cared about the election at all.

[tibbir]

10. I followed politics generally until the 2000 election fiasco n Florida.

Then I became possessed with a need to know - and what I can do individually to make some difference.

[nemo137]

11. I listened to NPR in the car with my mom when I was 6

I explained situation in the Balkans to my dad after school everyday. No, this is not a new development.

[flaminbats]

12. I became a political junkie in the 90's.

In the 80's I almost never thought about politics. This all changed when I had to pay for my healthcare, education, and food. When we stop relying on our parents, and work just to stay alive..it becomes impossible to remain apolitical!

[pauliedangerously]

13. Yes and no....how's that for a liberal?

My mother is a political scientist and politics was a big part of my upbringing. After leaving home, though, life became a bit of a struggle and I was focused more on survival.

The internet made me a political junkie; the tv news is lame and insulting. I discovered Common Dreams and Buzzflash several years ago and DU less than a year ago. I have been a political junkie ever since I've discovered these outlets.

I think the internet is the greatest thing since the telephone.

[Bossy Monkey]

14. I was always like this

Organized a forum in high school for kids to discuss the issues in the '80 election (but mainly as an opportunity for me to blast Reagan). My boon companion in high school was a hard-core Republican, 'cause nobody else would talk about politics continually enough to suit me. What else? In 7th grade I took out J Edgar Hoover's "Masters of Deceit" (McCarthy era Red scare book) from the school library and ridiculed it endlessly.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

15. I've been into it since the RayGun years......

But I didn't get wild-eyed and manic about it until 2000.

Well, actually, I did get kind of manic when the impeachment garbage was going on...

[UrbScotty]

16. Yeah - that's about the only good thing from the administration. (nt)

[redqueen]

17. Yes

Have been interested in politics for a while, but wasn't a junkie until the stolen election.

[TrogL]

18. Fullblown addiction. I've had to seek medical attention

it's affected my work, my relationships, my health, my sanity

We really need a DU Addicts forum.

[Phillycat]

19. Very much so!

I was always "into" politics, enough to have a general idea what was going on, but the theft of the 2000 election moved me firmly into the "junkie" column. I don't think the Dim Son has any idea how many people he pissed off with that bullshit. I have nurtured my anger over 4 years, carefully hoarding it so I would be ready when the time came. That time is in 7 days and I for one can't fucking wait.

[bigwillq]

20. Yes

It started after the 2000 election and then cooled until 9/11.

When the Iraq war started, I was so pissed off. I remember being in a journalism class in the fall of 2000 just after the election and when the recount was still going on.

I told the class "If Shrub is elected, we will go to war."

Sadly that prediction came true.

When Dean entered the race, politics became an addiction and since Kerry got the NOM, I continue to be excited and committed to getting this evil administration out of office.

[miss_kitty]

21. No. I've been involved all my life

all. my. life. My mom took me to the polls with her to vote for Kennedy. I was 6. I boycotted Welch's candy on my own, because Robert Welch was the head of the John Birch Society. Again I was 6. And I loved Sugar Babies!

My mom and dad were active dems and dad had a 'political appointee' job or two in his life.

If anything, I've stepped back from today's total asshattery.