Blog Post #22

In this election, we have heard a great deal about corruption. It appears to have replaced fake news as a buzzword in Washington. And many in Washington seem intent upon rooting out corruption, at home and abroad. In countries such as Ukraine. Apparently some of the reformers because they are focused on corruption have been accused and even prosecuted for corruption. So how do we sort out fact from fantasy? What's real and what is fake?

Two many people this seems like something that really can't be done. Political fatigue has set in with many people. It feels to them like they have heard it all and are tired. But I would encourage you to hang in there and be resilient. What is going on in this country right now is very important to the future of our democracy and our lives and to the future of our children. If we are to survive as a democracy, we have to be able to sort out fake from real and focus on rooting out the real corruption that exists in our society.

I would encourage you to think about the skills and attitudes of resilience. This is the time to be talking with others about what is going on. It is not a time to be silent. Problem-solving and flexibility are two of the skills we need to use. We need to be willing to hear out other people and their positions on issues. Even if we strongly disagree. We need to be able to manage our strong feelings rather than taking them out on our neighbors and those we disagree with.

This is a time when we need to look at the big picture. This is not just politics. It may be the survival of our democracy or its collapse. Take what is going on seriously. Stay involved. Assert yourself. Speak up. Remember, the purpose and reason why you are doing this. And last of all, keep your sense of humor because I can assure you, you will need it to get through the next year.

Ron Breazeale, PhD