Effects of psychological warfare

HOW TO COPE WITH POST ELECTION STRESS

MORE DISCUSSION IS NEEDED, NOT LESS

 

 

Now that the election is almost 2 months in the past and all the recounts, electoral college votes, scapegoating are over, it is time to move on. Many will now be coming together with family and friends for the holidays, often having voted for different candidates in the election. Are you going to avoid speaking of the election or discussing anything of substance for the foreseeable future, is it just too painful to deal with? What is really needed is more discussion, not less, but there should be a few ground rules beforehand. The candidates and their personalities should not be discussed, labels need to be thrown out,  judgments on the character of voters should not be made. What does need to be discussed are the issues and how to accomplish the things that more people may be in agreement than they realize.

 

It is true that this election has been the most contentious, entertaining, emotion arousing election of out lifetime, so far. Whether you like it or not, issues that have been simmering for decades where brought to the surface. All voters have been subjected to psychological warfare, by the campaigns and the media like never before. These tactics have an emotional effect that does not end with the election. It was primarily an election of voter suppression, not an honest debate about issues. Many voters are still suffering from this onslaught. Both sides are equally guilty. The actual vote count is actually lower than some previous elections, voter suppression was successful.

 

I believe that if people of good faith, decide to discuss the issues that are important to America we will find that we may agree in more areas than we think. We may disagree on how to accomplish our goals. We are all Americans and we should be able to see what has not been working, and what has. We need to put aside self interest and make an effort to listen to and understand both sides of an issue. We see where the media and some political operatives want to continue to stoke the flames of division, this will not help any of us or the nation. There will be some issues where there will be disagreement. It is healthy that many of these debates have been brought out into the open, without debate there will be no solutions. Nothing should be off limits. We often hear from some that we need a discussion about this or that, but as soon as someone voices opposition to the political correct point of view, the labels are applied and the discussion ends. If you are old enough to vote, you should be old enough to have an honest debate.