Theme Song for Obama

I was driving the other day, listening to music on the radio. The disc jockey, real popular, an older gentleman (“baby boomer”), "bout my age. When a real familiar song from my early adolescence (late 60"s early 70's) came on which started me to think about a partial solution to Obama's purported “image problem” (encouraged by GOP). It also got me thinking about how simple (bordering on ludicrous) some of us, as a voting population, can be. When we allow something as important as our decision about who should be the next president to be guided by negative passion instead of reason.

Now,,, I know that much of this madness is part & parcel of our democracy. But some of the tactics used in these elections are blatantly injurious to the public's mental & emotional health. Are we to hold these deceivers in high regard, and just dismiss their barefaced fabrications and deliberate short sightedness as political wrangling? Such character contradictions definitely take their toll on the electorates' psyche. Now we have a candidate wanting to “change” things, to run a positive campaign, to stop all this irrelevant negative focusing and engage in mentally nourishing beneficial dialogue.

I can imagine Barack's frustration. Hell,,,, I'm well past being merely irritated with the political shenanigans myself. The disrespect implied by their disregarding a truthful exchange of ideas, rubs me the wrong way. You'd think they'd have their loyalties directed on what they'd be hired to do….. Go figure, I guess they would think “well I have to get elected first.” So to get this done the politicians seem to think “we utilize our knowledge of their limitations (ignoring their strengths), working on fears or negative passions, and keep "um on stupid.” Especially during this election, the GOP seems to be the party supporting a less rational examination/ comparison of candidates as their side of the campaign often avoids deepening discussions of major concerns in favor of disparaging comments regarding their opponents. Now I realize Obama"s team is doing it too, although it seems to have been initiated as a response/ retaliation to negative attacks, which doesn't make it completely excusable, but understandable.

Some of these strategies used are quite brilliant as they clearly utilize powerful psychological principles to sway us, the voting population, out of our comfort zone (pairing negative images w/ opponent candidate; inaccurate statements; statements made out of context, incomplete statements or omissions, distorted statements; irrelevant & annoying redundancies; and other purposeful miscommunications, etc.). Encouraged by a good number in the media, disclosures for both campaigns often seems trite/ hypocritical and all but immaterial to the issues of relevance, and the candidates often appear as though they're reluctant to speak their minds, with apprehensive commitments or “dodges.” So typically they script their pandering to the public, sticking to their simple phrases or “talking points”, and forcing us to speculate or presume actualities which are not evident, but none the less influence our beliefs.

People make decisions informed by their beliefs. These beliefs are developed through our thought processes which are encouraged by our particular experiences and our level of comfort in conceptualizing our present circumstances. This has much to do with habituation, (routine thought processes/thinking patterns), which naturally strengthen as “the ritual” is repeated. Advertisements have persuaded all of us utilizing this concept. Our human capacity to rationalize is paramount, and can work against us if based on a weak premise or foundation for our conviction. That is, if our beliefs are flawed, or in error, then we'll likely, eventually, regret our decisions (just think about past elections and how your beliefs have evolved with subsequent knowledge acquired).

So here we are, w/ this dilemma, utilizing a necessarily incomplete amount of information with which to make an “informed” decision. And feeling perplexed about making a misguided decision. What's needed is an ability to tap into, what some writers have termed, “infinite intelligence.” Outside of this omnipotent certainty we have our ability to create a healthy pattern of thoughts based on reliable trustworthy information, where the cost of unavoidable psychological principles make sense and are not in opposition to our mental health (creating a minimum of confusion or regret). Then we can follow our positive passions and feel good about it.

Getting in touch with our positive passions is a good thing because it rejuvenates our emotional energy and enhances our capacity to be better (feeling good on a deep level). We get close to thought patterns that tap our accurate intuition at these times. A major difficulty in maintaining this positive enthusiasm comes when we're forced to deal with repetitive negativism. And for me, the challenge is in conceiving of a possible positive but realistic change in perception. We all find our ability to rise above difficult challenges in life through our deep seeded beliefs and our unyielding values, formed in our brains as we mature.

Our faith and values are powerful persuaders to our fluctuating beliefs and consequently our decisions. A realism also not missed by those wishing to sway our decisions. Yet, this type of decision making can tap into our positive or negative passions. Negative passions will be motivated by fears, where as positive passions are rejuvenating and motivated by a sense of hope which I believe is a far more admirable condition when balanced with reason.

Obama seems to be intent on maintaining a “Positive campaign.” I hope he continues to enthusiastically endure, as this experience certainly shows me he has a high degree of integrity and character. I would think he could use some positive corroboration confirming his dissimilarity from the Washington crowd, and congruence w/ the rest of us, in the form of a theme song which seems to be tailor made for him. The “Credence Clearwater Revival's” tune, “Fortunate son.”

As I listened to the song, driving peacefully through accommodating urban traffic, a sensation of optimistic fervor encompassed my consciousness. I wished, at that time, I had more influence over my friends' & family's opinions regarding the upcoming election. Then, without encouragement, that habitual uneasiness crept back in. I realized this is Ohio, a pivotal state for this election, where every other person is in a near desperate situation and still holding on to the unmistakably disastrous Republican “far right” ideation. A moment of hopelessness sparked my impulse to vent my opinion and to make this humble suggestion concerning a theme for Obama.

Let us, as a voting population, not allow ourselves to be negatively manipulated or encouraged to stifle our Reason. Instead, let us notice what is happening, accept that it is part of the political game perpetuated by desperate deceptive politicians &/or those wanting to achieve personal agendas at any cost. And not allow ourselves to be duped again (reference to last Presidential elections). These candidates attempting to maintain a “positive campaign” are pursuing a valiant up-hill battle. I trust their faith endures.