Better talk about Todd Akin now; cause he’s gonna be old news soon.

Congressman Todd Akin, Missouri

Republican Congressman Todd Akin is getting a lot of heat these days—for apparently stating how he really felt about the abortion issue. The problem was that he said it on national television, where he and all other politicians (regardless of party) are supposed to stick to their well-crafted, often-phony, script of talking points.

Since then, he has spent the rest of the week on his “apology tour” for his gaffe—which is anther word for telling the truth in public.

Of course, the comedians always have a heyday whenever this happens. And with Hurricane Isaac taking dead aim on the site of the Republican National Convention next week, they’ve all joined in the fun.  On Letterman Wednesday night, they reported that the approaching hurricane is no cause for alarm for the convention. That’s because, according to Representative Todd Akin,

“Florida rarely suffers damage from a legitimate hurricane.”

Neither candidate for President is talking about the most important issues in the world.

As for leadership. What’s the state of our leadership in this country? Not that great and not likely to get much better. That’s because our process doesn’t attract true leaders.

At a recent dinner party, somehow the discussion got around to politics—despite the best efforts of the hostess to keep the conversation on less controversial topics. Unfortunately, one of my friends felt victimized as she was the only one among the after-dinner lingerers who was supporting a certain candidate for President.

While walking down the street toward our respective homes, she told me how uncomfortable she was and that she really didn’t like to argue. Since I had been relatively silent during her “roasting,” she wanted to know what I thought. I told her that I was a registered Independent and that I made my decision based on my assessment of each candidate’s readiness, leadership skills, and integrity. Ultimately, I usually choose the  candidate with whom I would place the most trust. I voted Republican in 2004 and Democrat in 2008.

Not very many people would like to see either one of these two guys become president.

I added that unfortunately none of the candidates are talking about any of the truly major issues—in my opinion. Things like world hunger, global warming, the obvious answer to our health care fiasco or my favorite topic of late—the long-term sustainability of the human race.

As I told her, forget saving the planet, it’s the human race that’s in trouble. My friend was delighted with my assessment and said that she would sleep better because of my sharing it with her.

I went home that night thinking more on the topic of the evening. Presidential candidates always argue about the same short term issues that affect the most Americans: gas prices, health care reform, unemployment, social security, unpopular wars, and abortion. And that brings up poor old Representative Akin. As far as trust goes, I’ll just say that I wouldn’t trust him very far—and leave it at that.

Promoting health, hope and harmony on planet Earth—and the longterm sustainability of the human race.

For me, I’m trying to stay on point. As for the presidential candidates, I’m not revealing my choice today—mainly because I try to keep politics out of my blog. Shortly after I started this blog 566 days ago, I heard from a reader in the UK, saying that my daily blog was like a “relentless drumbeat.” I took it as a compliment and have been beating that same drum ever since.

And as long as I am alive, my drumbeat message will continue to be about promoting health, hope and harmony on planet Earth. And there is no doubt in my mind that a whole foods, plant-based diet for humans is a huge part of that process.

It works for our health, for the environment, for our ability to feed a projected 9 or 10 billion people by 2050, for fossil fuel conservation and for the two billion innocent animals that we torture and kill every single week for our dinner tables. It could also lower our cost of healthcare in the United States by around two trillion dollars.

You show me a candidate with that kind of message and he or she will get my vote. Unfortunately, my candidate wouldn’t get elected because that platform would not interest the short-term thinking masses whose support he/she must have to win. So where is the leadership that we need going to come from? It must come from people like you and me—people who are not afraid to take a stand. It’s starts by being the change you want to see in this world (Gandhi).

Meanwhile, life goes on in the wacky world of American politics. One ridiculous, relatively insignificant firestorm after another.  Yesterday, I heard the latest on the Mr. Akin story:

Akin apologized again in multiple television interviews on Wednesday for his earlier comments, but said he intended to remain in the race to be able to promote his staunch anti-abortion beliefs and to respect the wishes of Missouri voters.

“The people of Missouri chose me, and I don’t believe it’s right for party bosses to decide to override those voters,” Akin said. “It makes me uncomfortable to think that the party bosses are going to dictate who runs, as opposed to the election process.”

Blah, Blah, Blah!

• A source article. Akin still defiant, but leaves door open to quitting Senate race
• I would vote for a guy like this. A helluva rant for plant-based eating—from Australia
• A related blog. The “obvious” answer to health care is becoming more obvious.
• Related blog. UNSUSTAINABILITY — The elephant in the room
• Related blog. A tiny few eating a perfect diet? — or truly changing the world?
• Related blog. What does it take to change the world? Maybe less than you think.

By the time our elected officials get it right about what we should be eating, you’ll probably be long gone. But you don’t have to wait for the politicians of the world. You can take charge of your health now.

Handy 4-piece take-charge-of-your-health kit—from Amazon.com

• The movie that’s changing the lives of millions: Forks Over Knives DVD 
• Healthy Eating, Healthy World, The “big picture” about food (our book)
• An essential scientific resource: The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell
• Dr. McDougall’s new book, The Starch Solution, with lots of great recipes.

Want to find out how healthy your family is eating? Take our free 4Leaf Diagnostic Survey. It takes less than five minutes and you can score it yourself. After taking the survey, please give me your feedback as it will be helpful in the development of our future 4Leaf app for smartphones. Send feedback to jmorrishicks@me.com

International. We’re now reaching people in over 100 countries. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or get daily blog notices by “following” us in the top of the right-hand column. For occasional updates, join our periodic mailing list.

J. Morris Hicks, working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.

For help in your own quest to take charge of your health, you might find some useful information at our 4Leaf page or some great recipes at Lisa’s 4Leaf Kitchen.

Got a question? Let me hear from you at jmorrishicks@me.com. Or give me a call on my cell at 917-399-9700.

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Blogging daily at hpjmh.com…from the seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.

—J. Morris Hicks, board member, T. Colin Campbell Foundation