Anonymity can be your friend when you're spewing crap
Confession is good for the soul. I'm surprised that you would admit that. Very good.

the two parties had their ideologies reversed
nope.
liberals (the democrats) 'back in those days' would be classified as conservatives, by todays standards. Rather EXTREME in fact.
The Republicans would be considered reactionary by today's standards.

The Democrats today would be considered Radical Batshit Crazy Insane psychotics by the standards of 'those days'. Today's Republicans would be considered liberal.

It seems the political ideology is moving left.