The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.
- Albert Einstein

What a crazy few months! It has been a while since I have been this involved and seen so much participation in politics!

Politically, I’ve always considered myself informed and able to articulate why I support a certain viewpoint. I give much of that credit to my very politically active father. As it always is, this election year it is important to understand these issues, the candidates and take part in the democratic process. However, as my sister-in-law pointed out:

There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin
– Linus in It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Particularly with family! Politics can be a sensitive subject! Most of the time, our views extend into a very emotional space. While we should attempt to approach the issues logically, it is not realistic to say rational discussion is going to happen in every dialogue when parties both feel that the other represents the exact opposite of everything they believe.

I do not intend to set forth my views and argue why the other side is wrong (at least in this post). Instead, I want to discuss the decision-making process.

I have thought about this a lot this year, because I want to know for myself why I will be voting the way I am voting. This is not exhaustive, but here are some of the rationales I see people using to make their decision:

Superficial Factors

Sarah Palin’s hot. Barrack Obama is handsome. I think on some level, the most superficial criteria factor into everyone’s thought process. These types of factors should have absolutely no bearing on our decisions, but they do (e.g. JFK handsome vote). There are superficial factors that do have deeper political and historical implications: Barrack Obama is black; Sarah Palin is a woman. It is going to be a historic election no matter who wins because of those two elements. While I think it is valid to acknowledge their significance, I still don’t think those factors should be why we should vote either way.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Barrack Obama should not be elected because he is black. He should be elected because he was the best candidate! John McCain should not be elected because Sarah Palin is a woman! He should be elected because he was the best candidate! However, while I feel that the decision should be based on “the content of their character,” there will be people that vote one way or the other based upon that factor alone.

Superficial Beliefs

Matt Damon is worried about whether Sarah Palin believes that there were dinosaurs on the earth 4,000 years ago. (Dinosaurs in 2,000 BC?! Really Matt?) The criticism or endorsement from anyone in the entertainment industry carries very little weight for me, but it brings me to the idea of superficial beliefs. How many celebrities vote Democratic because that’s the “Hollywood” thing to do? How many Utahns vote Republican because that’s the “Mormon” thing to do?

How many of you vote the way you do because of someone else? There are endorsements that matter to me. For example, I trust my father. We have the same values and principles. I feel that he is informed and makes good decisions. In areas that I haven’t taken the time to understand and hash out for myself, I trust his perspective. For you, it may not be a family member for who you default to in order to establish your basis. For some it is Rush Limbaugh. For some it is Oprah. While referring to these sources is valid at a certain level, it is important for individuals to go beyond that reliance and establish their own viewpoint.

Emotional Factors

There are plenty of emotional and irrational reasons to throw your support one way or the other, but fear is probably the most banked upon. While the candidates try to polarize their opponent and paint the consequences of their opponent’s policies as bleak as possible, fear is the media’s bread and butter. Whether overtly or covertly biased, media sources play on the sense that if your candidate doesn’t win, the world will end. In one respect, it is hard to avoid getting caught in the emotions such tactics are intended to evoke. At the same time, with the ever increasing types of media in the world today, it is easier to be selective in what sources to which you choose to subject yourself. Admittedly, I watch FoxNews almost exclusively, as a majority of the US does now, but with the ousting of Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, I feel somewhat validated in my suspicions of other networks’ biases. For the internet, I have been visiting Real Clear Politics which does a good job of highlighting articles of interest from both viewpoints. If you are looking for something between The Drudge Report and Daily Kos, try RCP.

Logic

Ideally, we could sit down, spread all the facts out in front of us, and weight them with cold logic. But this is politics! Logic and fact for one side is rhetoric and distortion for the other. When Bill O’Reilly presented stats that indicated the US collected 20% more tax revenue under George W. Bush than under Bill Clinton, Obama dismissed it with, “There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.” When something appears so blatant and logical to you, don’t be surprised when it appears totally convoluted to the other side.

There are statistics and facts that both sides raise to argue their points, what is left is to personally evaluate what you feel is valid and apply your logic to it. Realize that your logic won’t appeal to everyone. Shoving your logic in someone else’s face will have much sway when they feel that the factors your argument is based upon are invalid.

Values

In my view, the ultimate basis for decisions should be rooted in your own core values. What ideas and principles are important to you? What are the guiding principles do you use in your own life? Some develop these values in religion. Some from life experience. Some from science. Do you believe in man’s responsibility to care for the earth? Do you believe in personal responsibility? If nothing pops to your mind when you ask yourself “What do I believe in?” I would suggest that you take some time to define what values are important to you.

The Chance for Dialogue

Where do we go from here? How can we have meaningful political discussion with those in whom we disagree? How do we persuade and convince others so our candidate gets elected? More important than those with whom we disagree, how do we talk to those that we care about with whom we disagree? How do we bring them to the light?

Understanding each other is crucial. We need to understand where our friends are making their decision. Decisions made at some levels are more pliable then decisions rooted more deeply. For me understanding why someone believes what they do, I am able to at least appreciate their perspective. When I understand that a decision is tied to something that they feel defines who they are, I can realize that this is a time to agree to disagree and not dismiss them as ignorant.

I have started this site, where I, and any others that care to participate, try to understand both sides of the issues by taking turns advocating both perspectives. Even if I have to fake it, I will argue issues from the opposing view. If my watching of FoxNews hasn’t tipped you off to my politics, let me leave no doubt: I am a Conservative and plan on stretching myself to be more “compassionate” as my Liberal friends would argue my ideology is not. The site is titled Feigning Compassion and I would love for anyone who is truly interested in meaningful dialogue to join in our discussion.

My parting shot: according to this article, a study shows that Conservatives understand and can articulate Liberal views, Liberals are not able to articulate Conservative views!