How impacted are you by the President? Most say it impacts everyday:
Bottom Line: Recently I shared research showing that most people approach everyday through the prism of their political lens (whether they realize it or not). The latest from Gallup demonstrates a more specific view of the specifics. Let's start with this headline.
52% of Americans say the President affects their overall happiness
So, if you're a supporter of President Trump, you probably feel pretty good in a given day, all else be equitable. Clearly, the inverse is true with those who oppose. In this regard we're allowing our personal political preferences to have a disproportionate influence on our everyday life. The truth remains that as important as the President is, for most people in any given day - the government that's closest to them is the most likely to impact their life that day. Anyone with an overactive HOA can relate but it certainly doesn't end there. How much do you pay for your property taxes? How much do you pay in sales tax every time you make a purchase? How are the roads you drive on? What about the public schools we pay for? There are a myriad of local government decisions and outcomes that are more likely to vary from day to day as compared to unilateral policy changes by the President of the United States.
What's more, and I get it, 57% say that their relationships with others are impacted by whom the President is... Distance yourself from the emotional connection for a moment and think about how polarized we've allowed ourselves to become. In a certain sense it's been instructive. While the Trump Presidency has often elicited the most extreme responses by his supporters and especially his detractors - it's been instructive to identify people who're genuinely good people worthy of your time regardless of politics. Bigots and nasty people have revealed themselves in the current environment - which while it's unpleasant when you're confronted with it...is actually instructive so you can invest your time in higher quality people and relationships that will add value to your life.