☆ The doctor is in
This gubernatorial campaign has highlighted a number of whopping contradictions, non sequiturs, and amazing flip-flops from Dem candidates who struggle with the legacy of failure of One-Party rule in CA. We play shrink and unpack the psychological dimensions. An Opp Now exclusive.
The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club.
And the first rule of CA Democrats is: You do not question the Blue State Model.
Perhaps that explains the roundabout rhetorical contortions CA Dem gubernatorial candidates have explored as they acknowledge--on one hand--the vast failings of One-Party governance in our fair state while--at the same time--pledging fealty to One-Party Rule.
If you listen carefully, you can tell when you're about to catch a ride on their Have It Both Ways merry-go-round. Key words:
"But."
"On the other hand."
"Nonetheless."
"However."
"If I'd known."
"Conversely."
"Alternatively."
Psychologists and psychoanalysts have terms for these phenomena of fence-sitting and ambivalence, as we daylight below. The shrinks' perspectives are worth noting as they help us get some insight on the degeneration of political discourse so prevalent in the primary campaign we've just witnessed.
As Tyler Durden says, "Nothing is static, everything is evolving, everything is falling apart."
--Christopher Escher for the Opp Now team
Wanting it both ways should be a starting point, not a destination
If we can’t have it 'both ways,' what can we have? We can discover which of two (or perhaps three or four) ways to go: speak or not speak, move or not move, hug or not hug, swear or not swear. What are we trying to discover? We are trying to discover what is right to do.--Ron Johnson, Midland Psychological Associates
Read more here.
Not everyone needs to agree with you
"For some, wanting universal agreement reflects a deep-seated discomfort with conflict. People who grew up in environments where disagreement led to negative consequences, such as emotional withdrawal or aggression, might develop an aversion to dissent. In such cases, agreement feels safer and less threatening, even if it comes at the cost of suppressing authentic discussions."--Dr. Abbie Maroño, Forbes magazine
Read more here.
Lack of confidence leads to ambivalence
"From a motivational interviewing perspective, the two roots of ambivalence are low importance and low confidence in making a change. If we don’t feel strongly that it’s important to make a change or we lack confidence in being able to take the necessary steps, chances are very high that we will waver on how to move forward."--Valerie Hoover, Psychology Today
Read more here.
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