WALKING, TALKING AND THINKING

INDEPENDENTS IN CONGRESS:  Walking and talking won't usually get you in trouble.  Well, talking can get you in trouble if you're not careful what you say, especially if varies from what your listeners expect, but thinking will definitely get you in trouble.  No where is this more true than in congress.  Once elected, you must not think for yourself, and by all means must refrain from any thoughts that differ from or challenge the party line.

Judging from th e-mail I receive -- e-mail that is never actually written by the person who sent it but presumably represents that person's thoughts -- many of you are so disgusted with the members of congress, both parties, that you want to vote out all incumbents and start over with a fresh new batch.  Like term limits, this is a bad idea.  It is a bad idea because, like term limits, it forces too many congressmen to rely too much for information and expertise on non-elected lobbyist and staff people.
There is a better way and Joe Lieberman has shown us that way.  More politicians in Washington should declare themselves Independents.

Independents are not obligated to vote the party line.  Independents are not beholden to the majority leader or the minority leader to get their bills out of committee.  On the contrary, Independents can wheel and deal.  They can negotiate their vote to the highest bidder, i.e., the bidder willing to give them the most support, the most in leadership positions, the most pork barrel, the better committee assignments or whatever for their vote.

Independents can vote for or against a bill on its merits, not on how their party leaders tell them to vote.  Each vote generates a renewed scramble by each party to court their independent vote, because those independent votes often make the difference in whether a bill gets the majority needed for passage or not.

It is much that way in national and state elections now.  About one-third of the population votes Republican regardless and about one-third can be counted on to vote Democratic regardless.  It is the independent voters who determine the outcome of most elections.  Independent voters look at the candidate and the issues and decide their vote based on what they see.  They can vote for a Republican judge and a Democratic councilman because they are free to judge each on their qualifications or accomplishments -- not on the party they belong to.  Voting for the party, of course, is easier, but that is exactly why we are in the mess we are in.

We need people in congress making independent judgments before casting their vote.  We need politicians actually negotiating two or more possible means to an end rather than just being against a bill because the opposition party proposed it.  We need politicians voting for or against something for reasons other than the need to stay in line, to stick with the party.
Write your congressperson and encourage him or her to become an independent.  Look at the power it has given Joe Lieberman and what it has done for the people of Connecticut that he represents.

WALKING AND TALKING:  Walking is a much ignored exercise.  It isn't advertised on television because no one can sell you anything.  NO special equipment is required, just comfortable shoes.  It doesn't promise to remove that spare tire around your waist, shrink your too-big butt, or give you six-pack abs.  So, it is often overlooked as a good way to maintain health, promote good posture and help maintain weight.

Walking can help you lose weight but it takes a heap of walking (about one mile) to burn 100 calories.  That's the equivalent of one slice of bread.  Still, walking is a low-impact exercise that, as already mentioned, requires no special equipment and it is better than no exercise at all.

Biking requires a bike.  Swimming requires a swimming pool with favorable weather.  Jogging is very hard on one's knees, so unless you have been doing for sometime, I do not recommend starting an exercise program with jogging.  Stationary bikes, treadmills, roller blades, cross country skiing and other outdoor activities are all good exercises, but they all require special equipment or conditions.  Walking does not.

Walking can be done almost anywhere and anytime.  Granted, walking can be difficult, even hazardous, in cold weather climates or during any inclement weather.  A trip to the local shopping mall solves that problem for most people.  If you do not live near a shopping mall or do not have transportation there, you might have to get creative or forego your walking regimen under such circumstances.  Fret not.  There will be plenty of other opportunities for you to get in your 10,000 steps.

Yes, 10,000 steps.  That's the amount recommend by exercise and health specialists.  You can get an inexpensive pedometer at Wal-Marts for under $10.  Don't worry about the distance (miles) recorded.  Just affix it on your belt or waistband somewhere near your belly button and start walking.  It will record the number of steps you take.

You may be surprised to learn that you log several thousand steps each day just in performing your regular activities around the house.  That's good.  Now get busy on getting the other steps needed to record your 10,000 steps.  It's not easy, but it can be done if you put a little thought into it.

When you go shopping, park away from the entrance rather than drive around for 15 minutes looking for that spot nearest the door.  When you need a beer from the refrigerator, get it yourself rather than asking your wife or one of the kids to do so.  When watching TV, get up once in awhile and walk in place.  (I know, it looks silly.  But each step counts.)  Look for opportunities to walk: walk the dog, walk the neighbor's dog, take the long way around the office at work, walk up stairs instead of using the elevator, and so forth.

Before you know it you will have your 10,000 steps.  You will feel better.  Your posture will improve.  You will look better.