This year, some people will talk about the importance of "leading by example" but will fail to heed their own advice. Others will mention the need to "get back to basics" but because "the basics" seem to change so often, it's difficult to know which "basics" they're referring to.

Citizens! Prepare for vague pledges of "a return to family values" and "universal heath care for all!" Prepare for platitudes, promises and double-speak, spoken fluently on both sides of the partisan fence. After all, it is an election year. And by the looks of the political blogs I've seen, the candidates aren't the only ones interested in maintaining status quo. The constituency, Dem and Reep alike, are ensuring that the presidential election of 2008 shapes up to be the same name calling, political party bashing online "debates" that didn't solve anything the last time.

Perhaps that's just the way of the world. Change is difficult and people crave some familiarity. Besides, for some, I'm told, being politically confrontational and argumentative is fun. But wouldn't it be fascinating if the staunches supporters of either party could admit their political candidate isn't perfect? You would think by now most would've learned that putting anyone on a pedestal is foolish anyway. Last year alone we watched as politicians, who threw stones from their glass houses, tried to dodge shards of glass as the stones boomeranged back, making a mess of everything.

Sigh.

As I brace for Decision '08, or whatever it's called this time, I'm looking for the candidate who is saying something different. My vote goes to the person who can do more than just draw lines in the sand and kick up dirt about others. My decision won't be based on the candidate's religion, sex, age or the color of their skin. Unfortunately, for some, those are only deciding factors. I won't swear solidarity to one political party, as I don't think of myself as strictly conservative or liberal. The damage of blindly subscribing to a specific political ideology is apparent in our country, where politics is essentially viewed as a religious experience for some.

The party platform is the gospel. Online blogs act as virtual "churches." Political debates are the sermons that "preach" the gospel. People put their faith in one candidate and their gospel, hoping that they'll be saved from "the others." But during the glorification process, people forget: politicians sometime lack ethics. They're human. The gospel often lacks common sense and a reasonable sense of morality. The golden rule isn't followed, as many candidates refuse to compromise, which fosters our current ridiculously polarized American political landscape.

Compromise doesn't mean people agree on everything but it does mean coming together for the greater good and putting aside party agenda's and self-righteous behaviors. If only our candidates would read the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, especially the part about "forming a more perfect UNION."

I think the easiest way for politicians and overzealous constituents to end political party bashing is to think about this: whether you're a Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, it's more valuable to recognize our commonalities as human beings, instead of constantly focusing on the differences.

How many times do we have to say that race, financial background, etc, are far less important than a person's character? Not compromising, name calling, digging up dirt and hateful opinions are exactly why, from a political standpoint, no work gets done in Washington and the internal strife continues for us citizens. Suggestions: liberal and conservatives unite! Democrats and Republicans, look for a common ground!

So, it's not "we the conservatives" or "we the democrats" but "we the people." We need to take a closer look at the candidates we support during this election. Be informed! How do they vote on important issues? Are they eager to please a few or, are they willing to make tough decisions that in the long run make sense for everyone? Are they using tired promises or do they have a specific, fresh vision for us and a plan to get there?

These are the things that matter. I'm neither jaded or naïve about politics. I understand that people will have differences of opinions. I understand that some will identify as liberal and some conservative and yes, you have to make a choice. I just think from a practical standpoint, there are those who would benefit from being more middle-of-the-road about things and in the process, recognize no person or political party has all the answers.

My fellow Americans, the political journey to the next presidential election is in full swing. It's likely that some of us have or will blog our political opinions. If you do, please remember that spewing narrow-minded, rude comments at a person whose opinions don't match yours is futile. Blog intelligently, and if you must poke fun of someone, do it because they aren't smart enough to think for themselves.

Do it because they aren't informed, or because they jump on the latest bandwagon and repeat party dogma they heard on the weekend political talk shows. But perhaps the best thing you can do is listen to Yoda, the ultimate smart guy, as we al can stand to "unlearn, what (we) have learned" about politics in America!