Here is my post on voting. Next Tuesday
is voting day in America and I will be voting. I always tell people
the reason I make certain I vote is because my belief is if you want
the right to complain about the government you need to be responsible
and vote. If you aren't planning on voting, shame on you there are
many places in the world where voting is not allowed. Now I sound
like a mother telling her child to eat liver because, “there are
starving children in the world.”
My brother is running for a state
office and as all candidates, is hopeful of winning his election. He
is running against an incumbent, but does have name recognition on
his side. This however is not what has spurred me to write, but does
play a part. What spurred me was a six o'clock news story about how
a major supporter of one independent candidate has withdrawn his
support from the candidate giving it to one of his opponents and is
encouraging other to do the same. No biggie right, people change
support all the time? However, the reason behind this move is what
was so stunning, the reason is to throw support to an apparent party
underdog to beat the other opponent. It wasn't for a difference in
opinion, it wasn't because the supporter felt the other person was
better suited for the job, NO! It was simply to attempt to ensure
the other candidate did not win. Those common folk who were
switching their allegiance even confessed that they felt their first
choice was the better choice, but were not convinced he could win.
Enter pluralistic ignorance.
Pluralistic Ignorance is one person acting a certain way because they
believe that is what the “social norm” is, even though they
privately reject the “social norm,” not realizing there are
others who also reject that norm, but also think they are alone in
this belief. This is my simplified understanding of the phrase and
not the “technical” definition. In regards to the election
mentioned above, I wonder how many supporters of the independent
believe this person is the best person for the job, but because of
“polls” and “opinions” are convinced he is going to lose?
When truth be told, there are enough believers out there, who if they
voted their own way, their own opinion, might win the election for
this person.
As I look around at the world I have
come to recognize many instances of pluralistic ignorance. On TV, at
work, in the newspaper, in faith-based organizations...etc. People
who say they believe a certain way, but act another. So here is my
decision regarding this Tuesday's election. I am not going to cast
my vote because of party affiliation, or because I need to vote the
way (I believe) peers in my social circle vote. I am going to cast my
vote for the people I feel are best suited to the job, regardless of
whether they win or not. In regards to referendums and bond issues I
am going to vote the way I believe is best for the state, regardless
of what polls and news stories state. I encourage everyone else to do
the same, especially vote!
