Spoil the Party!

Sure I may be a Democrat and an Obama supporter, but that doesn't mean that I think that every Republican idea has no merit. Or for that matter, it doesn't mean that I support every Democratic idea either. And I'm sure that, way deep down inside, there are more than a few Republicans who agree with certain policies and beliefs set forth by a Democratic administration.

It's a shame that if we want to back a mainstream contender for a government position, we are forced to label ourselves one of two major parties. However, bi-partisan politics seem to do more harm than good. It serves to divide us into two sides, who are always throwing punches at one another. Are U.S. citizens really born as a Republican or Democrat anyway? We all just conform to this system that's already in place. In many cases, we simply take on whichever political views are held by our parents.

How can everything be so black and white though? The two-party system might make sense if there were only one issue, but...as nice as that would be, it's certainly not the case. Isn't it possible that someone can have a more liberal view on health care, but a more conservative view on foreign policy, for example? Perhaps someone supports a woman's right to choose, but opposes stem-cell research. Obviously, there are so many possible examples of these mixtures of beliefs and viewpoints, which do exist among us. The lines often get blurred to the point that some politicians even become party-switchers. Take NYC's Mayor Bloomberg, for example. He's swung his way across party lines as a Democrat, a Republican, and now an Independent. Senator Arlen Specter recently made his move from Republican to Democrat, too.

Why do we have to create rivalries among us? Why do we have to have two sides that essentially ridicule one another? Our two-party system only creates animosity, anger, and hatred. Why do we have to have red states and blue states? Let's make them all purple. Let's not worry about Democratic and Republican ideals, but instead about each of our own ideals as human beings.

My proposal? How about a no-party system where we simply judge candidates based on their character, intelligence, values, ideas, beliefs, experience, and proposed policies? Two candidates with a vast array of ideas on a number of policies. Majority vote wins.

We, as U.S. citizens, would be much more likely to cast our vote for someone simply because he or she represents our stance on at least a majority of issues that are important to us. Someone who has the qualities that we think is necessary with which to govern. No need for labels. Labels never did us any good in high school. Why would it do us any good in politics?

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Juneau That Ain't Right

Interesting...Sarah Palin steps down as Alaskan Governor in July. Then, in October, CNN reports that Alaska is catching up to the rest of the country on recession. Wow, did Palin actually have a good economic effect on the state? And without her, Alaska is on an economic downturn? Hmm...naaahhh!

True Healthcare Reform Might Take a.....Weil?

Not sure how many of you caught Larry King's interview with Dr. Andrew Weil, renowned pioneer of Integrative Medicine, from last month. If you haven't seen it, it's worth checking out.

Dr. Weil, in my opinion, is the only one who truly has the right idea about healthcare reform. In his interview with Larry King, his dialogue allows the viewer to step away from the media-favored angles on this topic and to consider a different school-of-thought. While the focus of political discussions has primarily been on reducing costs and expanding coverage, there has been very little discussion on making America a healthier nation, as Weil points out. His take on the current system is that we don't have a "healthcare" system. Instead, we have a "disease management" system. Focusing on prevention would drive down the costs and make us a healthier nation.

A few of his standout viewpoints are:

• Banning consumer advertising of pharmaceutical products
• Educating children on healthier lifestyles
  
• Encouraging doctors to sit down with patients to discuss preventive measures and ways to live a healthier lifestyle.
• Making healthy food more affordable.

Dr. Weil believes that medicine should be a bit more focused on dietary changes, exercise, mind-body techniques, and herbs. I found it particularly thought-provoking when Weil asserted that when at a doctor visit, a patient would not think it was a "legitimate medical transaction" if he or she didn't receive a prescription. It certainly makes you think, doesn't it? Check it out.

Yes, he can…and he is...and he will.

Sure, one can make the argument that it might have been given to him a tad on the early side, but hey, they're going to give the Nobel Peace Prize to someone! Who deserves it more than President Barack Obama? Even if Obama is not your cup of tea, how about a little pride for the fact that our President has been awarded this prestigious prize?

President Obama may have a lot more to prove to the American people. He may need some more time to finish what he's begun. However, that's just it…he has indeed begun. He's begun to pry open international doors that have been sealed shut for decades...Cuba, Egypt, and the entire Muslim community, to mention a few. Obama has reached out his hand of peace in effort to show the world that America is ready to start anew….regardless of history. His rare combination of practicality and idealism will hopefully allow America to have the international presence that it is meant to have. So, I ask the naysayers again, who deserves it more than President Barack Obama?