UNCONSCIOUS VOTERS

NEWSWEEK (2008) 5/26

BEGLEY/ 16

People appear to vote unconsciously. They are seeking people like themselves, but only smarter and more capable. The “other’ is the outsider and the stigmatized other. Thus, most campaigns try to get the supreme connection where the cosmetic appears to supercede the substance. Can you be authentically inauthentic? And so those that can touch the large reservoir just beneath our conscious appear to be on their way to victory.

However, when our conscious kicks in, that tempers but does not automatically change our feelings. We remember that and it makes war with that which underneath. As this is being written, Sen. John McCain is looked upon favorably except for his age. Senator Obama is handicapped by his race. This is true particularly by his connection to a radical

Black minister who is the pastor of his church.

What to do? For McCain, he should frequently mention his age as well as do activities that individuals can relate to. Obama should mention race as well as activities that attract the general public.

In 2004, Senator John Kerry “wind surfed” while on vacation. It was to his doom. On the other hand, President Bush cut down bramble on his ranch or golfed. Those were acceptable activities.

LEVY. /15

Some folks have few or no friends. However, if you get on My Space or related, YOU CAN HAVE TOO MANY FRIENDS. Friends are generally at a peak at 15 and that constitutes small group research.

ADLER/ 14

Should you be able to sell your organs for a  profit? The medical community is opposed to it, but certain medical doctors support it. You will get more organs.

SAMMUELSON/30

The middle class on the whole may make a little more money, but they no longer have a certainty to keeping their jobs even if they play by the rules. Globalization advocates can tell you how many new jobs are created, but they don’t tell you are that 2 out of 3 are minimum wage service jobs.

U.S. NEWS 7 WORLD REPORT (2008) 6/2

MULRINE/ 30-32

The military is doing something very un-military. They have hired a number of soldiers mainly officers to think outside the box and are instructed to not follow orders. Known as the red team, their job is to break group think. Therefore they are to think out of the box and ask embarrassing questions. What if this or that does not work?  The regular military does not particularly like these folks but they are there to avoid another Vietnam or Iraq .

Further, these red teamers are instructed when to keep their mouth shut. Their biggest contribution is to be there when major decisions are made. Once that is over, their profile is lessened.

KINGSBURY/ 44-47

This is the 75th Anniversary of U.S. News & World Report. However, this periodical is

a combination of other sources until 1948. So it could be the 50th anniversary of the magazine in this format and with this name.

The founder is David Lawrence. He was a prolific writer and gave away his extremely large estate. Lawrence opposed labor unions, civil rights, and most everything left of center. His hero was Franklin D. Roosevelt. Go figure. This edition has numerous covers that go back to the 40’s and end today.

MORSE/ 55

U.S. NEWS has started a rankings revolution in education. It starts modestly in 1983. However today, the rankings are more explosive and the methodology more sophisticated. The ranking system has now moved on to hospitals, high schools, and numerous other areas.