“Have you never heard the famous observation that, “If a man is a Republican at 20, he has no heart and if he is a Democrat at 40, he has no brain.” Well, I was a Democrat until I was 20 and I have been a Republican since then (I am now 44).”
Yes I have heard that quote numerous times.It’s still BS.
Since I have a few more years on you, I can tell you there was quite a bit of resentment at the time against RINO’s.
That was what Republicans called “Reagan Republicans”.
So, according to your world view, people cannot evolve and, as they learn more about the world through their life experiences, change course? I disagree with that notion because, aside from politics, I can absolutely tell you I am not the same person I was when I was 20 as I am today. I have matured and some of my views have changed. Not morals, but opinions and viewpoints regarding issues and perceptions of people.
I also disagree with your definition of RINOS, since obviously your opinion is that it includes those members to the party that arrived after a set point in time - what, 1980? I view the party much like the parables in the Bible where even those converting to Christianity late in the game enter into heaven - that it doesn't matter when you joined the belief system so much as it matters that you share common beliefs.
As I said, I am a conservative republican, both fiscally and socially. I reserve the label of RINO for those people (like my own Senator, Chuck Hagel), whose only discernible affiliation with the Republican party is the R behind their name.