re: How did you develop your political beliefs?

I grew up in a fairly apolitical family. My grandparents were a bit more political though. Very strong fiscal conservatives based on how they grew up (grandmother in Germany during WWII and the economic struggles afterword, grandfather from a poor farming family in New Mexico), but pretty open minded socially. Resulted in me taking a conservative slant but still fairly middle of the road.

In college, studied political science and philosophy with a focus on political theory. BA and MA. Read just about every major political philosophy book out there. From Marx to Hayek to Smith.

End result is that a staunch libertarian. I want the government out of my wallet and out of my bedroom...and more importantly I want the same for everyone else.