I say put each on a scale (the same scale) and weigh them. Or, better yet, put their ideas on the same scale and weigh them.  And, again, put their actions on a scale and weigh them.  But I am ahead of myself.  I have this image in my mind that I am thinking about to see if, this too, is like putting the two contenders on a scale to compare and contrast them.

I have this image of two podiums on the stage prepared for them at the University of Miami auditorium. Now, I know that Mr. Bush is shorter than Mr. Kerry.  Most of us are shorter than Mr. Kerry.  I also know that one of the tricks used to “level the field” is to have boxes placed behind the podiums of short people to get them up to the level of the tallest of the other speakers behind their podiums.

I really would like it if at the very start of the proceedings that Mr. Kerry would amble from around his podium and walk over to Mr. Bush’s podium and invite him down off his box for a friendly hug. The differences between the two would immediately and undeniably be seen to be very great. But, there are other and far more valuable ways to weigh the value of each.

Putting each physically on a scale would be one way to show the differences. They might even weigh almost the same for you can sometimes (I am told) squeeze ten pounds of farm product into a five pound bag.

Ideas have substance.  We have been treated to a year of ideas and earnest talking heads working their heads off to show how this idea is not the same as that idea and, really, one source of ideas is far weightier than the other.  I think that a government started on the specious grounds of a Supreme Court decision not to recount troublesome votes in certain areas – not only in Florida – should have its ideas reevaluated since what has transpired after the election is for those original ideas to have grown tremendously and are far different from the original promises made in the 2000 campaign. Some ideas have more weight than others.

Actions have consequences. Since that 2000 election we have been brought into two wars by the Bush team of experts in running not only this country but Afghanistan, Iraq and that very same team is on the verge of taking on Syria, Iran and North Korea. We could weigh these actions with something more conciliatory and inclusionary so that we are not alone with our actions that are causing so many deaths to Americans and Iraqis. And, still, we have not yet acquired Mr. Osama bin Laden. He is perhaps the weightiest object not yet available to be put on a scale.