October 1, 2004 -- While all of us have to deal with priorities everyday, the type and importance level for each one is relative to our individual situation.  Moreover, our everyday priorities have to impact attitudes, perception, and decisions on other aspects of our lives in varying degrees . . . from core values to subtle (sub-conscious) action or thought.

Lifestyle, childhood development, social interaction, education, sibling relationship, parental responsibility (guidance and support), religious involvement, career, financial situation, and other life development aspects all play roles in how we prioritize.  It also might explain why a good friend or another family member might find it difficult to understand the why behind a stand on one or more issues . . . as it could be based upon a well-established priority that is weighted heavily by one or more key aspects of your individual development.

The same can be said on how one decides on a given candidate in a political race.  Whether it is for mayor, congressman, governor, senator, or president . . . there is a set of core everyday priorities that strongly impact our choice of candidate.  Some might be based more on values and religious beliefs while others could be influenced more on social factors.  In either case, it would be very difficult to convince the other to change a decision based on a core everyday priority.

Of course, there are a multitude of everyday priority combinations that impact political and other decisions.  Many of these individuals might make political choices by weighing conflicting priorities based on current personal circumstances with some being undecided until the very end.

We all need to remind ourselves constantly about how others’ life development has impacted their everyday priorities . . . and accept certain unchangeable facts as a family member and/or friend.  It is also why I try to refrain from discussing politics and religion with those who I care for with a different viewpoint . . . as I respect the why behind how they feel and believe the relationship is considerably more important.

David G. Bancroft
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