Thinking Clearly During An Election Year

Maintaining our rationality during an election year can be harder than it sounds.

Reason and insight tend to go out the window whenever the public is encouraged to separate into artificial tribes and speak and think in bumper sticker slogans.

Most of the politicking we encounter is intended to keep us divided while providing a sense of false legitimacy to those already in power.

Remembering a few simple principles about human nature can make us more effective both as citizens and as leaders if we choose to participate in the political process.

The first principle to remember is that it is human nature to abuse whatever power we are given.

Abraham Lincoln said it perfectly:

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

The second principle is that people who run for political office often become very comfortable with either lying or becoming skilled at telling people what they want to hear.

Many candidates have learned the hard way that honesty is considered a handicap when running for office.

This matters because our system of self government cannot survive if the American people are not allowed to make decisions based upon truth.

One final principle to keep in mind is that politics is just one small facet of our lives.

A lot can be accomplished outside of the political realm starting with creating a stable home where the effects can spread to our community, our culture and our economy.

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