Democratic Party Ninth District
Holly Brannon Gilkeson

Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday on the TV program "Dragnet" said, "Just the facts, Ma'am." When we decide who or what we vote for, do we think through what are the consequences of electing these politicians? What logical conclusions do each of us reach in making voting decisions?

We live in a Representative-Democracy. We are voting for politicians who make laws and policies that impact the daily lives of all of us. Have we made a comprehensive study of the candidates and the issues?

Are we voting after carefully thinking through our choices to know that we made rational,well thought-out decisions?

Paul Johnson, political science professor at Auburn University, stated that the rational-comprehensive decisions are made(or ought to be made) by looking at all possible options. This logical approach to solving a problem identifies the cost and benefits of diverse opinions, but is very time consuming. How many of us have the time in our busy, complicated lives to commit ourselves to such thorough research?

In reality,people make decisions, especially in politics, that involve emotional responses. How we feel about a certain candidate or issue influences how we vote. Our emotions frequently bubble up when particular aspects in our environment threaten us or offer opportunities for us to better our lives.

I call this emotional reaction the Optimistic vs. Fearful Syndrome, for example, expecting the best possible outcome vs.fearing the worst case scenario. Certainly, there is plenty of evidence that we live in a dangerous world. Optimism is not foolish in denying possible realities. A terrorist attack on our nation has happened. We worry that it might happen again.

But do we focus all of our attention on doomsday fears? If we are totally fearful that our nation is not safe, there is little energy and confidence that our efforts will be successful in improving our day-to-day lives. It is important to not go to either extremes in having Optimistic vs.Fearful expectations.

But these gut feelings do influence our individual political decisions. The answers to questions about which candidate will provide leadership to keep our nation safe AND enact policies that improve our daily lives is essential.

Ask yourself: What are my primary concerns and worries? Is it this seemingly endless war? Is the threat of economic recession going to effect me? Will I lose my job? Will my savings or retirement fund go down the toilet? Will I lose my home? How can I keep paying for the increase in food costs and the high price of gasoline? Are my kids getting quality education? Are we destroying our environment beyond repair? Yes, there is plenty to strike fear in the hearts of each of us.

There are no easy answers to these problems. We all wish and hope for the ideal solutions. We must decide, as best we can, which elected local, state and federal candidates best represent our individual and collective interests.

I encourage each citizen to vote with awareness of how our thinking and gut feelings influence our voting behavior. We live in a great country that gives us the freedom of choice at the voting polls. Let us make our voting decisions wisely.

Holly Brannon Gilkeson is the chairperson of the Lumpkin County Democratic Party. She worked as a social worker and has a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology. Holly and her husband, Frank,are enjoying retirement living in the woods near Dahlonega.