text: i'm getting more conservative as i get older, is this common? i'm 25 now, and i as much as i hate to admit it, economically-spreaking, i'm really conservative now.  socially, i'm still libertarian. (pro gay, pro choice, pro gun)   but now, seriously, i'm all for using third-world countries for our own economic gain.  i don't have time to care about kids in sweatshops or unsafe working conditions is china.  i don't care!  they would do the same to us if they could.  i'm beginning really to care about my happiness and not other people, and admittedly, i really like it.  i'm so happy i live in the best country on earth and i wouldn't trade it for a day living anywhere else.  when i was in college i was all about helping people, but now it's all about me.  i love it!  seriously, i'm just living my life and being thankful of when and where i was born.  i'm (gasp) republican (economically) :) you have it right when you talk of your own self, but when you talk of nations and other people, well this is the kind of stuff and attitude that has build a bad reputation for the us of a. i think if one looks at the mass number of humanity on earth and the percentage that hates your country, i wouldn't be surprised if you are one of the most hated countries in the world.  remember, the us became great only because it had a huge gene pool, people from all walks, nations races came to or were brought to your country, and the genetic exchange resulted in great minds that made your country the greatest in it's time. also you  were fortunate that wwii and global political shifts resulted in a number of brilliant minds migrating to your country-einstein, just to name one.  even today, i think maybe 1 in 2 brains in silicon valley is asian, predominantly indian, their brains have helped your country become what it is.   with greatness comes responsibility. i'd suggest - do unto others as you would want them to do unto you, and an eye for an eye will blind the whole world.  as a citizen of a country that is numero uno in the world, i think you need change in attitude, as do many of your fellow citizens!  st