Posted by
AuntieD on Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:47:00 PM
How are voters suppose to obtain factual information regarding the candidates? Hwalker would have us believe that “in every statement of fluff and manipulation there is bound to be a grain of truth.” Therein lies the rub. Lies and rumors are passed on as truth and believed as truth because of the grain of truth. There’s just enough truth to give the statement credibility. Social psychologists tell us that the more times we hear something, the more we are inclined to believe it, even when statements are retracted or denied, and repeating the claim no matter the context increases it’s apparent truthfulness.
So what’s a voter to do? Questioning things we read or see in the media, hear on talk shows, receive in emails and read on blogs is essential. Recognizing that every author and media outlet has an agenda no matter how unbiased they proport to be. Checking facts on websites such as snopes.com and politifact.com is positive, especially before passing them on to our friends and family as truth. Instead of looking for the grain of truth in statements, take them all with a grain of salt. Critical thinking is essential.
Gathering information and listening to opposing viewpoints is healthy as long as we realize we also have our own filters. We are predisposed to believe those things that validate our own beliefs. Are most voters open to questioning their own values with differing points of view?
Every candidate has an official website that publishes their positions and a thorough reading of each is essential, recognizing that each one is understandably biased. They would like to get elected so words are carefully chosen and statements massaged. Listen to what the candidates say in context. Know for yourself what you heard, the tone of voice and inflection, and the audience the candidate is addressing.
I’m not sure how many voters are willing to put so much time into figuring out what is truth, partial truth, propaganda or outright lies. I’m not sure I believe that most voters are informed voters but, rather, emotional voters who get just enough information to validate their own feelings before bubbling in their ballots.
And since the average Joe and Jane don’t actually vote for the President and Vice President, maybe they should put that energy into finding out more about their Congressional representatives and the issues. (Issues, now there’s another Pandora’s box.) My name is AuntieD and I approve of this message.
“In politics, a lie unanswered becomes truth within 24 hours.” Willie Brown, California politician and former San Francisco Mayor
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Propagada Officer
“It is still a dangerous world. It’s a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses.” Governor President George W. Bush, 2000