Even though it seems like half the country is in denial, we are in the middle of a pandemic that shows no signs of slowing up. In fact, if the statistics of the past week are any indication, the predicted "long dark winter" expected by many health professionals is at our doorstep.
Historically, there will be many attempts to document the social history of this time. That is, how are people faring in their day to day lives? What kinds of changes have we adapted to, what do we now do and forget to do now that going outside means wearing a mask or not being able to use cash, or the diminished hours that many retail stores and restaurants have adopted?
Will the President and administration that refuses to take responsibility be elected to a second term? Despite what the polls say, I think it's still possible that the Denier in Chief, with all his whining and voter suppression tactics, could still pull this election out of the jaws of defeat. It will take time before anyone on any side breathes anything close to a sigh of relief about the outcome.
No matter what the method, a voting booth, an envelope in a mailbox, driving your ballot to an official collection box, people are still voting in private. They say one thing to the pollster and their family and friends and then turn around and vote their deepest fears and biases while alone. That happens.
And, just who are these undecided voters. Anybody still undecided in this divisive atmosphere is some piece of work. The choice couldn't be more clear. So what accounts for their indecision. If I may, let me offer an explanation. F*E*A*R.
Values Checklist:
They've been conditioned by decades of advertisements and unreliable sources. They often claim they haven't done their research yet. I wonder what that looks like? Are those folks the same when it comes to choosing the color to paint a room, or buying a pair of shoes?
Some just may choose not to vote at all. The perfect candidate does not exist. That should be the mantra. I've got an idea. Let's have a nationwide values clarification activity. Back in the early 70s when I began my teaching career, Values Clarification was all the rage. We taught the concept of values as principles and ideas that people deemed worthwhile. It's important to have a Values Checklist, so people can be reminded of the concepts and principles that comprise their values. That was followed by clarification activities like scenarios that required people to rank order their values and then see where those choices conflicted with what other people thought. Knowing what you value and why helps people make decisions they can live with.
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