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The most important thing for a decision in politics

Today, I wore a sweatshirt at the same table as someone wearing a suit. Today, I had lunch with someone who I like. He’s intelligent, successful, good-looking. Today, I had lunch with someone who listens to my ideas, and doesn’t agree with me all that much. I respect that.

So, it shouldn’t have surprised me that today, I had lunch with someone who isn’t voting for Barack Obama.

And yet, never has my stomach risen to my heart so violently after eating just a regular ole’ hummus sandwich.

My whole body wanted to reach out and envelop him in all that is Obama.

If this sounds a bit hysterical, it should be.

Unity is not easy. Hope is not rational.

And as much as we’d like it to be, neither is politics.

It would be easy for me to argue for an Obama candidacy on the basis of the issues. I’ve researched those. And if I were voting on issues alone, settling for any one candidate would prove to be easy, because any one candidate is remarkably similar to the next.

But I’m not voting on issues alone.

I’m voting on something entirely more powerful.

That is, the first feeling you get – your gut instinct – which, as it turns out, is remarkably accurate.

We are highly instinctive creatures. We know how to read people and situations for survival, for love, and for power.

A recent study looking at the faces of successful CEOs proves it. The “experiment lends support to a growing argument among psychologists who study decision-making that when people come to quick conclusions without much information, their decisions are often good ones.”

Our human instinct is among our greatest strengths.

It’s why a woman can tell within the first five to ten minutes of meeting a man whether or not she will sleep with him.

It’s why Ryan Healy spent months going over idea after idea for his new company, only to return to his original thought.

It’s why individuals who hone the gift of fear – the most primal of all instincts – are able to save their own lives.

You cannot hide from instinct.

Across the ocean, there are those who use their instinct just like we do, and will look at Barack Obama and notice “first and foremost: his face. Think of it as the most effective potential re-branding of the United States since Reagan. Such a re-branding is not trivial—it’s central to an effective war strategy,” argues Andrew Sullivan.

In fact, everything you need to know about Barack Obama is available in his face – his authenticity, first and foremost, and then the change he wishes to create, as well as his imperfections as a leader, husband and father, and his great hope for this country, his wife, and his daughters.

It is for this reason that Generation Y and Generation X have embraced Obama like none other. We know that “authenticity is not the product of manipulation. It accurately reflects aspects of the leader’s inner self, so it can’t be an act,” just as Harvard Business Online reports.

And yet, we have to be weary. Instinct is easily muddied. It can be dragged through lies and panic and deception, much like the sludge seen on the streets of Madison, WI after blizzard, upon winter storm warning, upon wind advisory.

You can call your instinct an evolutionary reaction, or maybe your soul, Nature, the Universe, your heart, or perhaps even God helping you throughout life, but don’t ignore it. Protect it. Learn to trust it.

Know yourself better than anything or anyone to change the world.

My instinct is that Barack Obama is the leader to unite this great country. You don’t have to agree with my gut, but I urge you to listen to your own.

Yes We Can.

By Rebecca Healy

My goal is to help you find meaningful work, enjoy the heck out of it, and earn more money.

26 replies on “The most important thing for a decision in politics”

Rebecca

Finally something I agree with you on! Just want to put another plug in for the “Yes We Can” link that you end the post with.

http://my.barackobama.com/yeswecan

While it is just rhetoric, I’d like to see anyone put McCain’s words to music. Nothing like singing out “The transcendant issue facing America in the 21st century is that of radical Islam.” Inspiring. Makes me wanna bomb Iran or something.

For all of you fortunate enough to live in a Super Tuesday state, get out & vote! And for those of you in Madison so inclined, Obama supporters are gathering at Brocach tonight to watch the returns role in, & hopefully to celebrate!

@ Johannes – Well, let the pigs fly, this is a day to be put in history – the day that you agree with me! I knew you would come to your senses eventually.

It may be Super Tuesday now, but Wisconsin will be remarkably important on February 19th since our primary will most resemble a real election. Thanks for the comment.

Well put Rebecca. Obama is definitely the most genuine candidate we’ve had the opportunity to vote for. My vote was cast weeks ago!

More importantly, I’d like to encourage all to get out and vote, if you haven’t already. I really believe this election is critical to our country’s future. So no matter who your candidate is, get out and be heard!

Wow! Thanks for being so real in such an open forum. I’m still completely open minded about who I’m voting for, and opinions of people I respect have really come into play in this election. Thanks for sharing yours.

I’m loving watching all this political talk and forward-looking movement in both your and P Trunk’s blog. (from here in Canada)

When I was following the election in 2000, as well as 05, it was with a sense of dread and helplessness. Now I see effective and positive discussion. Then again, I wasn’t reading blogs until later in ’06.

I think I would vote for Obama just for the change he represents.

@ Travis – I’m glad that you enjoyed the post and appreciate the comment. I hope you voted for someone who was postive for you! :)

@ thrive – That’s a great observation; there’s so much positive this year. I hope that continues. Thank you!

I’d like to be for Obama. All I need is two things: his position on major concepts (trade, immigration,global warming, fiscal policy — those’ll do for starters), and a reason to believe that he can deliver on what he says on those subjects. Not completely, perhaps, but substantially. The last time I went with the attitude of ‘You gotta believe…’, it was, I think, the 1967 New York Mets… and I’m not eager to close my eyes, tap my heels, and Be Happy. I respect the guy, I really do. But President? Sorry, can’t see it without proof.

Where do we draw the line between instinct – that inexplicable animalesque gut reaction that helps us survive – and mood or emotion?

I like Obama personally, too. And there may be something to considering instinct, properly defined. Until we define it though, well, let’s make sure we’re not forming opinions based on the state of our digestion, hormones, or how much sleep we got the night before. That is mood, and puts us on a slippery slope to bullshit dumps.

Whether you agree with Obama’s politics or not, he is inspiring. He creates a “mission” and not a “mission statement.” Business management could learn a lot from the lesson of creating a mission instead of focusing on creating the mission statement. People will work for a mission.

And — I have the opportunity to see him Friday here in Seattle-land. They reserved the 17,000 seat Key Arena for the event. I’m sure it will be full…

I beg to differ! Has anyone read up on Ron Paul?

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

He’s the best candidate in years, hands down! Have any of you reviewed his lifelong consistency in terms of policies?

Low Taxes coupled with Low Spending
Against the Irag War
Eliminating federal regulations that discourage small businesses from provding health care for employees
Fighting for Personal Liberties

If you take time to listen to Paul’s sometimes cerebral arguements, I think you find they are well-thought out and equally bold, if audacity is what you are looking for.

But, since the arguement is that policies are not the deciding factor since most candidates sound the same (I also beg to differ here, Ron Paul is vastly different, and more consistent than the rest of the mob running for office) I will argue that on instinct’s alone, I immediately felt that Ron Paul was a man I could trust. Look at his face! He’s the cutest. He does not have Obama’s sex appeal, but his face belies sincerity and intelligence. He seems to genuinely care and believe what he says, and acts on those beliefs. Look at his voting record!

My instincts have told me Obama is young, audacious, hopeful…and wrong as the leader of our country. He strikes me as a skilled actor, (so perhaps the Reagan comparison is appropriate) feeding us the lines we want to hear. Hope is a wonderful thing, you have to have it as president of this country, but your proposal needs to be grounded in reality and concrete plans of action, which I believe Paul has thought out.

You may further aruge Paul has no chance and Obama is your second choice and to that – I understand, but personally, based on who is left leading the races, I may “opt out” on voting day.

@ Scot – Great synopsis. I like your ideas about mission vs. mission statement. Let me know how you enjoy seeing him in real life.

@ Milena – I think your comment is, by far, the best yet. I like your passion towards Ron Paul. I’ve always been curious about why you support him since I saw the badge on your blog. Admittedly, I haven’t researched him as much, but I still believe that the person who is able to unite us, such a large majority of us, will ultimately succeed. I hope that you don’t opt out on voting day. That’s really the worst thing you could do. At the very least, write in the candidate you want. Thanks for sharing!

Instinct is an interesting thing that occurs only after experience. To use your example of a woman knowing if she’ll sleep with a man within 5-10 minutes is only a decision that can be made after she has dated “x” number of men and possibly slept with “x” number as well. Malcolm Gladwell writes about this concept as well, but calls it “Thin Slicing” in his book “Blink”. His point is much in line with yours in the sense that many times your first instinct/impression/idea/thought/etc. proves to be just as good as something that is thought about over a long period of time. I suppose my main point is that instinct happens only after a lot of thought and experience. The golf swing of Tiger Woods is “instinct”, but only because he’s spent hours practicing. The “instinct” of a successful CEO giving a great presentation comes from years of practice and preparation. Obama’s “instinct” to come across as honest and authentic leads me to believe that it has come from years of experience. Instinct might be our greatest strength, but only if we take the time and put for the effort necessary to develop that strength.

Rebecca – I’ll tell you what – I used to be a big-time democratic party supporter, went door-to-door for MoveOn, attended Michael Moore rallies…until I enrolled for a Master’s degree in Finance and took an economics class.

If anyone is legitimately interested in learning about economics, there is a little book that will take a few hours to read, “What Everyone Should Know About Economics and Prosperity.” I think it’s the best primer on the subject. Let Amazon make that baby on your counter. : )

The economics class (along with subsequent courses on finance) blew my mind – I realized much of the social change I yearn for could be better effected through free trade rather than centralized government planning. Central planning is often what democrats run their platforms on, and what causes limited growth in many countries. The US is succeeding despite central planning, not because of it. More government programs for the public good sounds benign, right? Who can argue with free broadband for all? I can – I have a better idea. Free us from government restrictions to doing business, stop making entrepreneurs pay fees and fill out forms, reduce the mire of the tax system to its simplest form – a flat tax and no tax for those who make under $40,000/year. Ideas like this are pure gold for a failing economy and people who feel lost and disconnected. Ideas like free trade bring communities together, locally, globally, breaking down barriers.

My favorite quote from my teacher was, “When goods can’t cross borders, armies will.” And “You don’t kill your trading partners!” It would be the same as Home Depot shooting their customers as they walk through the door.

I don’t want to pick on just the Democrats, as the Republican party is guilty as well. So, even though Ron Paul is technically a republican, he is committed to true “liberal” thinking, i.e. free markets, free minds, protection for the individual, private property rights, low and simplified taxes. I’m all about it.

I’ll get off my soapbox or else I better start a new blog about it…

I know exactly what you mean about obama. Since he started his campaign I have learn more and more about him and his policies, but at first all I had to go by was an instinct.

He (and his ideas) pulls us in and makes us believe.

great post Rebecca.
I agree with your on the importance of listening to our instincts. If I think of all the times my instincts saved my butt over the years …. wow. I think it is extremly important to listen to your instincts professionally – whether its about your boss, your co-workers or a new deal.

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