A Politico Test for Trust

by Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Is it any wonder that, as revelations of corruption and abuse of power grow in America and across the world, that distrust has fueled the anger in the protests of our day?

Distrust is the emotion that is triggered  by vulnerability and real threat by someone you have trusted not to abuse you. The rupture of trust is more widespread now than any other time in history. Think of the military, church groups, the prison system, big oil, corporate pollution, contract workers, big pharm, compromised science, voter manipulation, bank fraud, insider brokers - please stop me!

I trust you

Strangely, our elected representatives undergo no test for trust. In fact, the qualifications for most every other job seeker require more credentialing, training, testing, certification and background checks than those who represent us so directly. Often, the black marks emerge only after one is in office. As Bill Maher said: don't wait too long to run for office, or someone soon will sling mud on you!

All those who run for office have the same emotions as you and I, and use their emotions to both guide them and to give them energy. All can be tested for trustfulness using all or portions of well-validated, reliable psychological tests. One such test, the MMPI, besides being a personality test, has built-in scales for the tendency to lie, to look too good, to be defensive and cover up, and to have reliable answers. Still other scales are for psychopathy, ego strength, ability to trust, and many others.

If we were serious about the trust we wish to place in our elected representatives, wouldn't a commission of qualified members be able to produce testing for both desirable and undesirable traits? Traits such as honesty, trustworthiness, emotional balance, empathy, and more?  Doesn't this program suit the evaluation of your world leaders as well, and be a part of the United Nations charter?  Off the top of your head, you can think of leaders who would be disqualified.

Why do we take such a hands-off approach to the emotional stability of our elected leaders when they have some of the most responsible, demanding jobs on earth? Our campaigning and electoral process have been compared to a circus sideshow!

Wouldn't you really like to know the candidate's capabilities for trust, honesty and openness?

About Dr. Raynard

Dr. Richard Raynard is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years experience resolving a broad range of emotional problems. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who has specialized in anxiety and phobic disorders since 1980, he has spent the last 35 years fulfilling his life-long desire to explore and define the true purpose of emotions and how people can easily use emotions to create meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Dr. Raynard's series of books on emotions can be found on Amazon.com. His other books include Don't Panic, and Anxiety & Panic Medications.

Money as a Person

by Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

If corporations can have personhood, why not money?

We all have a relation with money.  If you are kid saving up for anew baseball mitt, it is a ticket to fun. If you have borrowed money to go to college, it's an investment in yourself. If you are making barely enough for basics for your family, money is a comfort and security. If you are truly impoverished, money rescues your very life.

What's enough?

Let's admit it, you keep careful watch over your money. You always know where it is, even when you have forgot birthdays, jewelry and other precious things. And your relationship is ongoing, as you keep track of all its ups and downs. You have a relationship with money.

Money has many personalities.  It can be all-mighty and powerful, an ogre that directs dynasties and nations, who measure and weigh it in so many economic terms. For those who win the lottery, it can be a giddy teenager who urges you into all kinds of reckless gamuts (it takes about 2 years to spend it all).  Money can be a social charmer, opening all kinds of doors, ensuring your social standing.

In greed, money finds a real home.  It promises the whole world and is so attractive, you never can get enough of it. It promises security, status, power, attractiveness, great toys, trophy wives and more.But, sorry, this money personality gradually takes over, as it wants your undivided attention. It claims you.

 

For the psychopathology of greed, see A. Kipnis, The Midas Complex, 2013.

Yet, for all its chameleon forms, money can be a good friend. It always stands by the balanced person to help form plans, get help, help others, make good choices, and come through in all the ups and downs of life. This money personality listens to you and honors your most heart-felt wishes.

The Supreme Court doesn't have to grant personhood to money. It already has many personalities.

What's your relationship to money?

About Dr. Raynard

Dr. Richard Raynard is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years experience resolving a broad range of emotional problems. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who has specialized in anxiety and phobic disorders since 1980, he has spent the last 35 years fulfilling his life-long desire to explore and define the true purpose of emotions and how people can easily use emotions to create meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Dr. Raynard's series of books on emotions can be found on Amazon.com. His other books include Don't Panic, and Anxiety & Panic Medications.

World-Wide Anger

by Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

On the one hand, is there a single country today that does not have some form of peaceful - sometimes violent - protest?   Besides most every country in Africa, South America and the Middle East, you have East Asian and European countries as well. Even in mature democracies like Britain, Sweden, and Australia. The protest comes from everyone's basic insecurity and lack of voice in the face of corrupt, enriched and imbedded politicos of all stripes.

On the other, there is increasingly a call for "systemic" change in the media, and not just in other countries.  Proposals in the USA  - prison overhaul, immigration reform, taxes on the wealthy, local farming -  have burgeoned in most every public sphere. The most thoughtful have prioritized such change, making free, open elections the very top priority.

All can vote

In my book Anger, I clarify that the purpose of anger is to find satisfaction of a basic need and not to fall into the instinctive trap, emotionally, of blame, disillusionment, and warfare. In so many movements, and particularly the Occupy movement, there has been confusion and uncertainty about what systematic change was demanded. And so across the world, protest movements have faltered, having no clear agreement about priorities for change, after the corrupt have been kicked out.  Think Libya, Egypt or Thailand.

My common sense says that free, open elections could be the top priority of all protests. Anger at no voice is satisfied by ensuring a fair, free electoral voice. So here goes:

  - All electoral campaigns are limited strictly to a 3 month period.
  - All funding is public, all donations limited to $250.
  - 5% of prime time in all publically licensed media is reserved for campaigning.
  - Amendment re Citizens United: money is not speech; corporations are not persons.
  - All elections, state and federal, abide by the Federal Electoral Commission.
  - Candidates show 2 months before election day how they will vote on 40 key issues.
  - Candidates who reverse on 5 or more key issues will be subject to recall.
  - All votes are recorded on paper, one for electronic tally, a copy for the voter.
  - One month early voting is allowed, as well as mail in and weekend voting.
  - All proven citizens over 18 can vote, including ex-felons and dual citizens.

Common sense -yes!  Idealism - yes! More than political will, it takes the will of people to band together and insist on such a key issue. What could be a more basic need in the protests than each citizen have a vote, make clear choices and ensure their will is carried out?

Some of my readers have asked for solutions.  There is one of them. Want more?

About Dr. Raynard
Dr. Richard Raynard is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years experience resolving a broad range of emotional problems. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who has specialized in anxiety and phobic disorders since 1980, he has spent the last 35 years fulfilling his life-long desire to explore and define the true purpose of emotions and how people can easily use emotions to create meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Dr. Raynard's series of books on emotions can be found on Amazon.com. His other books include Don't Panic, and Anxiety & Panic Medications.