Tony’s Pizzeria – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The choices New Mexicans make–particularly in the ballot box–have always baffled me. We complain about being last in every quality of life measure, but continue to vote the way generations (including deceased) have voted. It’s the very definition of the timeless axion: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I’ve had this discussion many times, usually with highly educated and erudite frriends and family, and despite my best attempts at presenting logical, sensical reasons for change, all that’s ever accomplished is hurt feelings. It’s become very obvious that opinions and decisions are based on emotion and group affiliation, not necessarily our notion of facts. Why is it so hard to convince others to change their minds and hearts? That’s a question philosophers, psychologists and even curious hoi polloi like me have pondered over for millennia. Perhaps never has that question been brought to the fore as during recent political events. Sadly, the question takes on even more of a personal bent when you believe someone else’s views betray something inherently rotten about their character—or when someone else believes the same about yours. Rightly or wrongly, we’re wired to believe people’s views are barometers…