In a recent election, several people confided in me that, while they wanted to see their side of the aisle win, they did not like the candidates themselves. For them, the dilemma was the character of the candidates as opposed to their policies. In sum, they did not like the choice before them, wondering aloud, “Is this the best we can do?” My answer to them was often “Apparently, yes.” Some would say, “Well, I just will stay at home,” to which I would say they are then ceding the battleground to a side of the aisle that will impose policies they do not like. But that was an insufficient answer.
Over time, I have given some thought to this. First, it is very likely in politics that you will be left to choose between candidates you think are lacking. Politics is frequently personality-driven. The reasons for that are many. Looks, dress, speech, and odd mannerisms all can influence how voters regard candidates. However, in most cases, voters can get past personality quirks as they learn more about the policies candidates are advocating. That has been true for me in most elections. “I really don’t like how ‘so-and-so’ says or does ‘this and that,’ but I like the policies.” So goes the reasoning of those who manage to look beyond a candidate’s personality.
To be sure, some individuals overcome this conundrum by biting their lip and defaulting to party-line voting. They conclude that they would prefer to see their party in charge; therefore, they vote accordingly, even while grumbling. Others settle on a single issue, often social ones, and rationalize that as long as their pet item goes the right way, the rest of the agenda is unimportant. That works until the winning candidate makes one of those seemingly trivial issues a very important one. War comes to mind. Similarly, allowing criminals to be released back on the street the same day they commit a crime, only to reoffend again. Or encouraging children to question their biological sex, as if those choices are a genetic buffet. Single-issue voting is singularly mistaken.
I’m of the mind that the best way to navigate the troubled waters of persona vs. policy is to ask yourself one fundamental question. “Which candidate is closest to my worldview?” For me, that is the starting point. Ideologically, I am a conservative who wants to conserve what is good and sustain our Republic as envisioned by the Founding Fathers who wrote our Constitution. In particular, for me, the Bill of Rights is not a helpful list of suggestions. It is the law. As such, the rule of law, the right to possess private property, and a common American identity are important issues for me, and they span many topics.
My ideology doesn’t influence my worldview. No, it’s the opposite. My worldview determines my ideology. Worldviews are not something you arrive at overnight, although single issues can set a person’s movement toward a particular worldview. Ask anyone who has seen the horror of war, and you’ll find a person whose worldview was impacted to some degree.
Most people trace their worldview to the influences they have had over time. That includes how they were raised and the challenges they faced during their upbringing. Were they brought up to believe in God and attend church or synagogue? Were youth sports or other activities, such as scouting or recreational summer camps, part of their character formation? Were they taught the values of work, to hold a summer job, or to do daily chores? Were they loved, or did someone visit unspeakable abuse on them?
Of course, one’s education is critical in shaping a worldview. Were you taught the importance of civics and the role each of us must play in our families, communities, and government at large? Were you encouraged to help others? Were you taught that competition and success are good, but failure can also teach many important life lessons?
In sum, one’s worldview is no small matter. As such, it must inform one’s ideology and not the other way around. Therefore, when you are confronted with political choices that you find unsavory, it would be wise to defer to your worldview. You may find the candidate objectionable in their acts and manner. But that alone should not be a cause to surrender your vote to inaction or to walk away in frustration over the choice before you. No. A better approach is to assess which candidate best aligns with your worldview, rather than your ideology. Will they institute policies that are consistent with your worldview?
Certainly, ideology plays a significant role in political decisions. But when faced with difficult choices, your worldview may be what you must ultimately rely on to justify what you do in the voting booth.
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