Interesting topic, and I appreciate the observations. Years ago when I left the JWs, I believe I WAS influenced by their anti-government, everybodys-corrupt, JW stance. I also attended a college with some very liberal professors who simply reinforced that liberal idealism.
Many years and much experience has happened to me since then. I've had a successful career, been thrown into very difficult works situations in which I managed many people, and learned that there is NO WAY you can please all of the people, even some of the time. True leaders are not necessarily going to be popluar. Someone, somewhere is going to despise you and everything you apparently stand for. You cannot allow that to alter your course.
Secondly, I realized as a began making quite a bit of money, establishing an asset base, having children, and yes, generally being more in control of my life, that I do NOT want anyone taking those hard earned things away from me or telling me what I should be doing with them.
Third, I actually lived in Europe on a work assignment. I loved and respected many things about Europe, but I came to the undeniable conclusion about how American I actually am. And proud of it. I finally, fully shed my JW all-the-world's-corrupt-and-is-going-to-be-destroyed upbringing, and moved toward a more practical no-the-world's-not-perfect-but-I-believe-in-life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness entitlement I've been blessed with to be born in a free country.
I am NOT concerned with getting everyone's approval: it's not going to happen anyway. I've encountered many tough situations which required strong leadership and vision...and believe me, most people would rather you cave becasue THEY themselves do not have the strength and vision, and frankly, they are afraid.
Sorry for the novel here, but the topic touched a nerve. I've been out 20 years, and YES the JW teachings are obviously still a part of my life. But I had NO choice at that time to be a JW; I was born into it. I do, however, now have many choices in my life.