Comments on: Psychology of Voting: Why Do We Vote The Way We Do? http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/ Exploring Healthy Psychotherapy Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:45:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Sara T http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-13251 Sara T Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:07:30 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-13251 I believe that this is probably the first election of the many I have had the honor to participate in that my emotions did dictate alot of the way that I voted. I voted on a very emotional level this time, and am so glad that I did. I feel that our country needed a real change and Obama was the right person to bring that to us in a significant way. Not only does he represent a real step forward for us in terms of leadership, but I think that for black Americans his election to this highest office in the land shows us something to be proud of, something that we can show our kids and grandkids and let them know that they can be better than what they may have always been told by society. God bless America for making this dream of so many finally become a reality! I believe that this is probably the first election of the many I have had the honor to participate in that my emotions did dictate alot of the way that I voted. I voted on a very emotional level this time, and am so glad that I did. I feel that our country needed a real change and Obama was the right person to bring that to us in a significant way. Not only does he represent a real step forward for us in terms of leadership, but I think that for black Americans his election to this highest office in the land shows us something to be proud of, something that we can show our kids and grandkids and let them know that they can be better than what they may have always been told by society. God bless America for making this dream of so many finally become a reality!

]]> By: Judith Barr http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12941 Judith Barr Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:08:42 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12941 To Bethany and anyone else who feels this way, the intriguing and mysterious thing about decisions we make and actions we take that are driven from our past . . . it is unconscious. We are not aware of its occurring until and unless somehow it gets brought out into our awareness and we are open to being aware. As a result, people will often swear they are doing something from a current place because they are truly not conscious that it is from an ancient place. It’s not something to judge, but rather something to raise awareness about and help people know it is possible to heal to the root. If you would like to learn more about this, you can go to the Archived Newsletters on my website, www.PowerAbusedPowerHealed.com and find the May Newsletter. To Bethany and anyone else who feels this way, the intriguing and mysterious thing about decisions we make and actions we take that are driven from our past . . . it is unconscious. We are not aware of its occurring until and unless somehow it gets brought out into our awareness and we are open to being aware. As a result, people will often swear they are doing something from a current place because they are truly not conscious that it is from an ancient place. It’s not something to judge, but rather something to raise awareness about and help people know it is possible to heal to the root.

If you would like to learn more about this, you can go to the Archived Newsletters on my website, http://www.PowerAbusedPowerHealed.com and find the May Newsletter.

]]> By: Lib http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12919 Lib Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:30:07 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12919 To vote based on emotions only is truly irresponsible. To vote based on emotions only is truly irresponsible.

]]> By: Tudy http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12909 Tudy Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:25:49 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12909 This election was kind of hard... I voted for the one I thought would do me and others more good. I just hope I am right. I did take in several factors just from what I have read and heard and based my voting on that. This election was kind of hard… I voted for the one I thought would do me and others more good. I just hope I am right. I did take in several factors just from what I have read and heard and based my voting on that.

]]> By: Jack http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12881 Jack Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:33:48 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12881 Hopefully most of us do vote for these reasons Grace but there are still many others who are swayed not only by the empty rhetoric but also because of the right or wrong things tht they carry around with them in their hearts. How many people did you honestly hear say that they would not vote for Obama becasue he is black? Unfortunately I heard a lot of that. Thank goodness these are not the bigots who turned out in large enough numbers to make a difference but they did vote and it was based on assumptions and raw emotions, never any rational decision making. I am not saying that the majority of people vote because of perceptions and emotions but it does happen and we cannot discount that- how do you think Bush was elected to two terms in office?:-) He played very well into that cowboy savior role that many Americans like- unfortunately for the country we learned a little too late that there was not too much going on underneath that cowboy hat on his head. Hopefully most of us do vote for these reasons Grace but there are still many others who are swayed not only by the empty rhetoric but also because of the right or wrong things tht they carry around with them in their hearts. How many people did you honestly hear say that they would not vote for Obama becasue he is black? Unfortunately I heard a lot of that. Thank goodness these are not the bigots who turned out in large enough numbers to make a difference but they did vote and it was based on assumptions and raw emotions, never any rational decision making. I am not saying that the majority of people vote because of perceptions and emotions but it does happen and we cannot discount that- how do you think Bush was elected to two terms in office?:-) He played very well into that cowboy savior role that many Americans like- unfortunately for the country we learned a little too late that there was not too much going on underneath that cowboy hat on his head.

]]> By: Grace http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12799 Grace Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:55:26 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12799 Emotions are one thing but I think it can be even more of a negative when we allow others who are louder than us to make our decisions for us. Vote with your mind and your heart, not because of the rhetoric of others! Emotions are one thing but I think it can be even more of a negative when we allow others who are louder than us to make our decisions for us. Vote with your mind and your heart, not because of the rhetoric of others!

]]> By: Selena http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12725 Selena Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:13:59 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12725 it a truly fabulous post Judith. We always carry our negative emotions so strongly that sometimes we fail to react positively to the good things in the present. You are absolutely right Bethany that voting should be done for the truly deserving but sometimes our emotions and fears get in our way and stop us from making the right decision. Yet the wounds can heal as the recent elections and its outcome have shown us. it a truly fabulous post Judith. We always carry our negative emotions so strongly that sometimes we fail to react positively to the good things in the present. You are absolutely right Bethany that voting should be done for the truly deserving but sometimes our emotions and fears get in our way and stop us from making the right decision. Yet the wounds can heal as the recent elections and its outcome have shown us.

]]> By: Bluewafer http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12683 Bluewafer Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:22:15 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12683 That's a lot to take in! But it makes sense to me. The recent election was a very big thing for me and for my family. That’s a lot to take in! But it makes sense to me. The recent election was a very big thing for me and for my family.

]]> By: Bethany http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12673 Bethany Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:52:19 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12673 Sorry guys but I have to disagree a little about this. I am sure that I vote with my mind and not my past repressed feelings. There are certain issues that I feel very strongly about on an intellectual level and that is how I make my voting decisions. I know that there are probably people for whom everything always boils down to the past but I guess I see myself as more of a live for the current moment kind of gal. Voting is a very important process of the American democratic system and should never be taken lightly. The outcome is too important to let only personal emotions get in the way of doing what you know is the right thing for the country as a whole. Sorry guys but I have to disagree a little about this. I am sure that I vote with my mind and not my past repressed feelings. There are certain issues that I feel very strongly about on an intellectual level and that is how I make my voting decisions. I know that there are probably people for whom everything always boils down to the past but I guess I see myself as more of a live for the current moment kind of gal. Voting is a very important process of the American democratic system and should never be taken lightly. The outcome is too important to let only personal emotions get in the way of doing what you know is the right thing for the country as a whole.

]]> By: Judith Barr http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12665 Judith Barr Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:10:02 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12665 Thank you so much, all of you, for your responses. I'm delighted that you found my article mind-opening and meaningful . . . and so personally meaningful, too! And I’m so moved to know that with this article touching you, more people will be conscious and more people will take another step in their healing. When I first wrote this article for my newsletter, I was glad to know I could help raise awareness for the people on my mailing list. With Noah’s welcoming the article on GoodTherapy.org, I am thrilled to know that even more people are being helped. If you would be interested in receiving future articles, you can sign up for my newsletters on my website -- www.PowerAbusedPowerHealed.com. And if you would like to read previous newsletter articles, you can find them on my website under Archived Newsletters. Thanks again and Many blessings, Judith Barr Thank you so much, all of you, for your responses.

I’m delighted that you found my article mind-opening and meaningful . . . and so personally meaningful, too!
And I’m so moved to know that with this article touching you, more people will be conscious and more people will take another step in their healing.

When I first wrote this article for my newsletter, I was glad to know I could help raise awareness for the people on my mailing list.
With Noah’s welcoming the article on GoodTherapy.org, I am thrilled to know that even more people are being helped.

If you would be interested in receiving future articles, you can sign up for my newsletters on my website — http://www.PowerAbusedPowerHealed.com. And
if you would like to read previous newsletter articles, you can find them on my website under Archived Newsletters.

Thanks again and
Many blessings,
Judith Barr

]]> By: Shannon http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12635 Shannon Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:54:43 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12635 Wow! I had no idea about any of this. But you are right. We vote not only because of the current issues but also for the candidate who feels like safety and security for us. Wow! I had no idea about any of this. But you are right. We vote not only because of the current issues but also for the candidate who feels like safety and security for us.

]]> By: Aliyah http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12627 Aliyah Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:02:56 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12627 My childhood definitely affected my voting choice. Having grown up in a poor ghetto and having seen and experienced the hardships of life. My childhood definitely affected my voting choice. Having grown up in a poor ghetto and having seen and experienced the hardships of life.

]]> By: Siau Ngee http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12625 Siau Ngee Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:02:45 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12625 Wonderful article about our negative acts. I always show my anger from family problems in office. Sometimes, it is just a small matter like when I said something to my husband, he don't reply. He might be concentrating in his work. But, I feel like he don't bother to answer my question. Now, I know something is wrong with me. Thanks for opening my mind. Really informative post. Wonderful article about our negative acts. I always show my anger from family problems in office. Sometimes, it is just a small matter like when I said something to my husband, he don’t reply. He might be concentrating in his work. But, I feel like he don’t bother to answer my question. Now, I know something is wrong with me. Thanks for opening my mind. Really informative post.

]]> By: nicole http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12597 nicole Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:45:10 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12597 This was a very good article and enjoyed it. I too know many people, including myself, who have fallen into this situation. It all goes back to what you experienced ,and sometimes when you don't remember, your subconcious does. Very true. This was a very good article and enjoyed it. I too know many people, including myself, who have fallen into this situation. It all goes back to what you experienced ,and sometimes when you don’t remember, your subconcious does. Very true.

]]> By: jeni http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12581 jeni Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:05:55 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12581 This is so sad that past experiences makes us re-act to the things in the present. I find myself responding the same way... If someone says something, I find myself wondering if they are going behind my back and saying something negative because I know in the past I have had this happened to me.. I totally believe that past experiences carry over to the present. This is so sad that past experiences makes us re-act to the things in the present. I find myself responding the same way… If someone says something, I find myself wondering if they are going behind my back and saying something negative because I know in the past I have had this happened to me.. I totally believe that past experiences carry over to the present.

]]> By: Alex http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychology-of-voting/comment-page-1/#comment-12575 Alex Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:50:49 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1081#comment-12575 Thats a great post, Judith. I personally know some people who are like the ones you mention in this post. One of my friends is exactly like Robert! Thats a great post, Judith. I personally know some people who are like the ones you mention in this post. One of my friends is exactly like Robert!

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