I agree with Steve. We should develop a virtual platform against which we should judge candidates to represent us in the House and Senate who will run in 2010.

This is going to cause me to really sit down and think about this. The reason is that I have so few complaints about The Villages and living here, particularly any that can be solved by the federal government. So without too much thought, maybe I'll begin with this list...

• If any of the candidates made a complete re-do of campaign finance a plank in their platform, they'd probably get my vote. I'd be for complete government financing of federal elections with a limit on the amount and the length of the campaign periods. But part of the deal would have to be NO permitted contributions from lobbyists. In fact, how about no contact with lobbyists.

• Right up there on top of my list would be the enactment--or re-enactment--of the PayGo rules to eliminate any deficit spending. I know we have to get thru the current economic rough patch, but sooner rather than later we have to get back to not spending more than we take in.

• How about a Villages Post Office? There's plenty of room on CR 466 in a central location and it's my understanding that the developer has offered to foot the bill to construct the building. What's the hold up?

• Don't screw around with the tax rates too much. Yeah, I think that the really wealthy can afford to pay a little more. I'd really be turned on if one of the candidates supported Mike Huckabee's Fair Tax proposal. With unemployment as high as it is, we wouldn't even notice the unemployed tax lawyers and tax preparers.

• I lean towards the tree-hugging side. Do the right thing. Sooner or later--after parts of Manhattan and Miami are under water--we'll realize there really is global warming. Why not sooner?

• Lastly, let's see if we can develop some friendships with countries around the world rather than acting like the neighborhood bully who practices "my way or the highway" diplomacy.

How's that for the start of a list? I'll keep thinking about other stuff I like to see in a candidate. But for sure, I'll be voting for Ginny Brown-Waite's opponent...just on the general principle that she's been there too long and is getting too entrenched in the system.