don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

"Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Forget this and attaining Enlightenment will be the least of your problems." ~The Jewish Buddha

This is a big week for the Democratic Party, and for the country, for that matter. Since the two party system lock on the media and other institutions prevents other political parties from fielding viable candidates, we voters can choose only between the Democratic and the Republican Party nominees. This week, the Democrats will pick Obama; a week or so thereafter, the Republicans will choose McCain. That's it -- the next president will be one of these two men. Like it or not -- that's how it is.

I don't like it. But, I can't change it so I have to hope that the candidate I prefer is elected in November, not the one I abhor. I'll mention which is which another time. Today, I want to offer an idea for a simple platform element I believe would help the Democratic candidate -- health care reform based upon a system that promotes and reinforces choices that encourage quality of life. I believe the Democrats ought to adopt as their goal a system that helps people stay well. This would entail legislation and other supports filled with incentives for all to learn how to choose wisely and well.

America should be number one not only in overall medals gained at the just-concluded Olympics but, far more important, first in all major morbidity and mortality indices used to assess health status. Alas, we are not first in any category -- we are not even in the top ten in most. I hope the Democrats will talk about this during their convention.

A visitor to this site wrote to me recently and asked about my expectations for the Democratic Convention. She wanted to know if it were likely speakers would address the need for an awakening to the merits of wellness lifestyles. That is where I got the idea for this essay.

Another visitor to SeekWellness had three questions. While the questions were unrelated to the Democratic or Republican Conventions, two of the questions gave me the ideas I found helpful in answering the previous post about my convention expectations. I quote writer number two, word for word: "What do YOU think is the origin of the ancestral nucleoprotein from whence we came, if that is indeed our source? Second, do you suppose we were destined to become the low-life, self-abusers that most Americans seem to be? Finally, should we not be doing so much better, given our remarkable advantages, social and material, over 99% of those who came before us and probably 90% of those living elsewhere on the planet today?"

I expressed concern to this writer that my response probably would not be as interesting as her questions! Of course, the first question must be delegated to experts in the realm of science. The first part of the question about the origins of life should be asked of biologists, life scientists, paleontologists and other experts, not a wellness promoter. I have more "faith" in science than I do in theologians or religious fundamentalists, who would be only too happy to offer answers based on imaginary revelations. I did go on a bit in responding to the other questions -- and now I can recycle these remarks for the benefit of the Democratic Party gathered in Denver to hail their new chief, the good senator from Illinois.

I agree with the idea that the vast majority of Americans could be doing much better, given our splendid advantages. WILL we do better in the years ahead? Many will do well, but most won't. Nobody can predict with confidence what the numbers and percentages will be concerning the lifestyle WELL versus the lifestyle CHALLENGED (i.e., lowlifes). There are too many variables that affect such things, for better or worse. However, the tables would turn if the new president and his party got behind a national focus on REAL wellness -- helping Americans think in terms of reason, exuberance and freedom (liberty) to act in ways that promote quality of life rather than a dependence on doctors, drugs and medical insurance. Naturally, basic protection and care services should be part of the Democratic vision. We need to offer all citizens basic medical care via a universal system of expanded Medicare for all, bundled with a REAL wellness quality of life educational emphasis.

I don't think the Democratic Convention will be nearly as exciting for viewers as the 29th Olympiad, however interesting the speakers. The Democrats are no match for the compelling performances we enjoyed from the world's great swimmers, runners, volleyball and basketball players, gymnasts and all the rest, plus the spectacular ceremonies that opened and closed the Games. However, we might want to consider that what the Democrats do (or fail to do should the latter contribute to a Republican Party win) in Denver will have a far greater impact than the Olympics on the lives of the citizens of this country and around the world. Not just for four years, but for decades to come.

So, dear Democrats, consider adopting a wellness ethic, banner and platform as a foundation for the change we can all believe in - and vote for.

Be well - do your best to always look on the bright side of life.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the MEANING DOMAIN under the skill area of applied wellness. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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