October 24, 2012 by David K. Sutton
The Political Brain: That Corrupt, No Good, Son Of A…
I posted a Facebook status the other day that read:
Have you ever noticed how “your” political candidate is squeaky clean and “the other guy’s” candidate is incompetent and corrupt? — Funny how it always works out that way.
I think now might be a good time to take a deep breath and reassess our political convictions and our political strategies. Not because I think it will lead to a profound change in thinking, but only to remember that we are all human beings first.
It’s no less silly among liberals to think there is a conspiracy to elect Mitt Romney as it is among conservatives to think there was/is a conspiracy to elect Barack Obama.
Yes, we all have opinions. And yes, many of us like to think we are well-informed on issues. But if that’s the case, then how is it possible that “your” candidate (not taking sides here) is the savior and “the other guy’s” candidate will end America as we know it? I think we all need to take it down a notch — or two — or fifty.
Do I think Mitt Romney believes he can make America stronger and improve the economy? Yes. — Do I think the same of Barack Obama? Yes. — I just happen to think one candidate, Romney, represents ideas we’ve tried that have not worked out so well for millions of Americans, and the other candidate, Obama, while far from perfect, is better suited to lead the country after decades of wealth and power consolidating at the top. And because I know that this consolidation is a fact, and I believe it is bad for the country, that makes me quite passionate about which candidate we should elect in less than two weeks.
But I need to remember, and we all need to remember, it’s simply untrue that your candidate is perfect and the other guy’s candidate is dangerous. The American political system works in such a way that makes that an impossible reality. The fortunate (or unfortunate) reality is that by the time we get two presidential candidates to vote for in a general election, they aren’t that far apart on many issues, even if they try to say otherwise.
