But, let’s stay focused. Instead of trying to start the 2012 campaign years too early, let’s do other things instead. If you are a Christian, how about making a difference for others? If you aren’t a Christian, but care about others, the same deal. As they say, talk is so very cheap. What are we doing–actually doing, not just talking about–to make the world a better place? Do we reach out to those in need? Do we have a clue of how horrible those in places like the Congo, or the Sudan, or other parts of Africa have it on a daily basis? Or those right across town from where we live? Does our Sunday School class give regularly to help those poor souls? Do we support efforts to make a difference for the good in those parts of the world? Are we volunteering enough of our time and effort for others in our own community and elsewhere?

Now it is time to move forward. It is premature to speculate as to who will lead the "opposition party"–the Republicans–which that party truly now is, as it no longer will have the White House or either house of Congress.

Like we said–if you are a "Christian," how about getting your Sunday School class to commit $100 a quarter to relief efforts overseas, and the same amount to relief efforts in your own hometown? If you have the means, why not do the same yourself? Regardless of what you believe–Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or otherwise, why not do the same? We challenge you (and ourselves)–wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you believe or do not believe, to do that. Two hundred dollars a quarter, four times a year, to help those in your own hometown and across the world. Is that too much to ask for? Some of us throw away that much money in no time, on things that really don’t matter. And, we are talking about doing this as a community, as a small group. Can ten of you give $20 a quarter to help others? Almost all of us can, or can give even more.

It isn’t all about politics. It is about being the people we are supposed to be. So, while we "wait" for 2012, rather than worrying about who the next nominee will be, or is "supposed" to be, why don’t we get busy making a difference in our world? That might have more positive effect than anything we might do in the world of "politics." Of course, it isn’t just about giving money. Giving time and effort to others, in a variety of ways, can be an even bigger gift.

As for politics, instead of jumping on the "bandwagon" of any one candidate, why don’t we just all step back and take a few deep breaths. We don’t need to push one candidate for 2012 at this point–for goodness sake, that is four years away. Remember how the "conventional wisdom" had Rudy Guliani as the "presumptive nominee" of the Republican Party, prior to the first caucus in Iowa, and he didn’t even survive to make it to Super Tuesday? Also, at this point in 2004, all signs pointed to Hillary Clinton being the Democrats’ nominee in 2008, and we just saw how that worked out.

So, enough of the prognosticators. Let’s just see how all this plays out, and pay very close attention to the coming administration. We’re more concerned about whether terrorists will be able to walk "suitcase" nuclear bombs and duffel bags full of chemical and biological weapons across our "open" borders, than who the next nominee might be of the Republican Party. Or, having the [un]Fairness Doctrine brought back by liberal Democrats, which will destroy free speech on the radio. Or, seeing that "drill, baby, drill" becomes reality–and fast.

But, while we are on the subject, instead of jumping on the bandwagon of any one candidate, why don’t we all just watch, listen, and digest.

We really liked what Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, had to say during the last campaign. He had down-to-earth wisdom, a good-natured humor not often found in the confines of bare-knuckled Washington politics, and common sense solutions to our problems. Now, after the election of 2008, we urge you to listen to him. He has a weekly show on Fox News, and he has a new book out, Do the Right Thing, that we look forward to reading, and hope you will, also.

This was a guy who took his own laundry down to the hotel desk while he was campaigning–he didn’t have a "valet" to do that for him. He spoke of what he believed, and he had common-sense solutions to the problems facing America. For some reason, he got labeled an "economic liberal" by some of his opponents, which made absolutely no sense.

Some thought he was "suspect" because he used to be a Southern Baptist minister. Imagine that: instead of trusting someone even more, because he has been the pastor of a church in a conservative denomination, some thought he was untrustworthy, because he had been a minister. Hey, hey, hey, are you listening out there??? Not to be dramatic, but we are astounded that some would be worried that Mike Huckabee used to be a minister, until he heard a different calling, and then became the Lt. Gov. and then served ten years as Governor of Arkansas. Perhaps it says something about the world we live in, in 2008, that we would not have more trust in someone who had been a minister, and then moved into the world of government public service.

We like Mike. The author of these columns happens to also be a bass guitarist. Mike Huckabee is a bass guitarist, and he plays rock ‘n roll. For those who might not know, the bass guitarist is often the "glue" that holds a band together. The drummer is crucial, and his/her efforts are so important in defining the "rhythm" of a band. But, the bass player can make a band "go," at least if he/she is a solid one. He or she might not get "noticed" by the crowd, who may focus on the flashy lead guitarist or keyboardist as they take their soaring solos, or on the lead vocalist who delivers the "voice" of the band. But make no mistake. If the bass player is a "dud," then the band just isn’t the same.

Mike Huckabee is a bass player. We imagine he understands the importance of keeping a band "in the pocket"–that is his job, along with the drummer. If they don’t do "their thing," and do it well, it really won’t matter what the rest of the band is doing, because the band, as a whole, won’t sound as good.

We don’t think it is an accident or coincidence that Mike Huckabee plays bass. Not the flashiest instrument, usually not the lead singer [Paul McCartney and Sting being a couple of exceptions], but, as we said, the "glue" that holds the band together. Gov. Huckabee comes across to us as someone who has a steady head and hand, can think on his feet, and is an effective communicator. Just because he plays bass doesn’t mean he should be President, but having creative talent can be a good thing.

We have a feeling that after the next four years transpire, our country may be in need of some effective "glue" that will hold this country together.

We don’t mean to speak ill of our new President in saying that. As we said, we wish good things for our country, its people, and our world. But, we are also realists. We think our country may be in dire need of some "good glue" in four years, since we think it is already in need of that now.

So, don’t forget about Mike–Huckabee, that is. Tune in to his weekly show. Get his book and read it. And, pay attention to what is happening around you in this country. Regardless of who the next nominee of the Republican Party is, all of us need to pay attention and stay focused on the world as it is, right now. We can focus on who may lead this country in four years when the time comes. There’s much more we need to be concerned about now, in the present.

Sleepers, awake!