It's not over until the fat lady sings and this fat lady is feeling the Bern. As a graduate of the University of Vermont, my affection for Bernie has spanned decades. I remember seeing Bernie on more than one occasion, walking down Church street with his characteristically determined and purposeful march, casually chatting with local citizens then parting with a friendly wave of his hand in the air. Affable and relatable, he was the first politician I had ever encountered who appeared to be driven by authentic political passion rather than ego. I was in awe of him then and I am in awe of him now.
I could list hundreds of reasons why we should all vote for Bernie, why he is the only candidate. However, I know most of my readers are well-informed and since my background is in clinical psychology, what fascinates me even more than the issues, are the topics of authenticity and leadership skills.
Modern psychology places great emphasis on the importance of understanding and interpreting nonverbal communication. This can be as simple as noticing how someone fidgets when discussing an uncomfortable subject to deciphering more elaborate "codes" of facial expressions. We all subconsciously read nonverbal cues and are influenced by them whether we realize it or not. It doesn't take a therapist to know when a person blushes, they are embarrassed. Authenticity matters and what is exhibited throughout the media nonverbally speaks volumes.
Bernie exudes authenticity, integrity and trustworthiness. What you see is what you get. His passion for politics and for the people are clearly evident and unwavering. He is a man of conviction and I have no doubt, when he walks through his door at night, he's the same Bernie we saw on the podium as he is when playing on the floor with his grandchildren.
I'm not so sure this is true with Clinton and Trump, they simply aren't as reliable. I'm still not sure what either of them stand for since their opinions continue to change. Their personas as well as their political beliefs have often morphed depending on when and where they are campaigning. I mean I didn't know Clinton was a fellow Southern belle like myself (she's not, she grew up in Chicago).
During this campaign, more than any previous campaign, the theatrics have been astounding. When I sat down to watch the first democratic debate, I couldn't believe how much it reminded me of The Running Man. The elaborate stage sets with big flashing lights and soundtracks to accompany impending commercial breaks, it's completely unreal. As the campaign progresses it's easy to get caught up in the theatrics of it all. This coming Tuesday is a big day, so let's take a moment to pull back the curtains and really take a look at the substance underneath the bells and whistles, fancy suits and $1,000 haircuts.
Mrs.Clinton and Trump's discomfort on the podium is palpable, it's as though they are trying their darndest to remember all of their PR's suggestions and therefore, are too distracted to effectively discuss important issues. You can almost see the wheels turning, "now what was that new term the kids are using, snapchat?" Concerned with how they think they should appear to the public or where to place their next inflection in hopes of prompting a "hooray" from the crowd, the exhaustion of it all is evident. They are clearly relying on well-educated young interns to tell them what's hip and how best to connect to the public. These two candidates are pandering to what they think people want, rather than presenting their views from their own internal navigation.
Personally, I don't want a president who relies so heavily on "handlers". I want a leader, not someone who is so easily led. I want a president who is confident, passionate about policies and the people. I want consistency regarding the issues and I want someone focused on "representing the majority" rather than re-election.
I know many of you think Bernie is a dreamer, but he's not the only one. America is capable of great things, everything Bernie stands for can be achieved. Time is running out to turn things around and Bernie is the candidate to create a positive revolution to continue to put our country back on track. With his laser-like focus and passion for "doing the right thing," Mr. Sanders is the one to help this country evolve.
Feel the Bern!
Title: Feel the Bern" Corn Salsa
Author: Doughmamma.com
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 12 mins
Total time: 42 mins
Serves: 12
Notes: If you're really feeling the Bern hard, substitute 1 fresh jalapeno for 1 Serrano pepper. If you prefer your corn salsa more sweet, skip roasting the corn and instead lightly saute the corn.
Ingredients
2 cups of white corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
1 cup of yellow corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
1 red bell pepper
1 small onion finely diced (about 1 cup)
1 jalapeno finely diced
1½ tsp of canola oil
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of cumin, ground
½ tsp of coriander, ground
½ tsp of mustard seed, crushed
½ tsp of crushed fresh red pepper
⅛ cup of cilantro, chopped
2 Tbsp of apple vinegar cider
Instructions
Roast your red bell pepper over an open flame until nice and charred. Place in a paper bag and seal so it steams. After about 15 minutes, take a clean kitchen towel and remove the skin. Chop small dice and set aside.
In a large saute pan, heat your oil over medium-medium/high heat. Toss in your onions and saute for about 6 minutes or until translucent. Add your corn and jalapeno and stir occasionally for about another 6 minutes or until you start to see the corn and onions get golden brown specs.
Remove from heat and add your spices, cilantro and vinegar. Mix well and allow to sit overnight for best flavor or serve when cool.