Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research seems to be one of the hotter issues now days. It reminds me of how hot the abortion issue was in the past. Generally speaking, those who were against abortion are against the stem cell research. And those who were for abortion are for stem cell research. But that is a generalization, not a rule. (Let me make that clear, so that I don't receive a bunch of angry emails.) Though I am against most abortion, I am not sure where I stand on stem cell research. [See Index 2 and click on the "Abortion" button to see my views on that issue.]

I've heard contradicting reports about where stem cells can come from and which ones are the best for research. The big and emotional debate seems to be which stem cells to use rather than whether stem cell research should exist. It's somewhat confusing because you hear one "expert" saying one thing and then you hear another one contradict the first one.

I don't think that I am the only one confused about the stem cell research issue. If we're hearing contradicting "facts" on the same topic, who do we believe? The latest "stem cell initiative" fight here in Missouri has a lot of people confused, and someone's got to be lying. The latest information that I have heard on the radio and on television programs is so contradictory that these opposing "experts" can't all be right. Therefore I think that I need a more accurate education on stem cell research before I form an accurate opinion. But where can we get the straight scoop?

The best way to get to the bottom of this would be to address it on national television using the "Meet and Vote" program. This way the whole country could get properly informed about it. Neither side would be able to hide behind slick television or radio ads. The way it would work is very simple. We choose an issue that needs to be addressed. In this case it's the stem cell research issue. Then the nation would "meet" to discuss it via national television. In this manner the whole nation could get properly educated by those who know what they are talking about.

Your Congress will be there (or those who care enough to come). Your president will be there, as well as the vice president. Supreme Court justices will be invited. Guest speakers considered to be experts in this field will be there, representing both sides of the issue. These experts, along with some of your elected leaders, will address the people with the truth about the issue and the ramifications of allowing it in society.

When using the "Meet and Vote" process to settle an issue there is always a (large) live audience of American Taxpayers to ask questions and to give opinions. Viewers at home will be given the opportunity to ask questions by telephone and the internet. Your elected representatives will be allowed to decide which of the nations' experts in this field should testify on behalf of both sides of the issue. In this manner the American Taxpayers will get a chance to hear both sides of the issue fairly and equally.

When all is said and done, when everyone has had their say, when the arguing has ceased, and when the American Taxpayers understand the stem cell research issue, they will be given various options concerning the issue to vote on. They will then go to the polls the day after the last meeting, while the issue is still fresh on everybody's mind, and they will "vote" their conscience. The votes will be tallied and the results will be made known to the taxpayers. The majority will rule. The Congress will then enact the will of the people into law. That's how the "Meet and Vote" program works. It's fair and just and out in the open for all to see.

The "Meet and Vote" program is designed to restore the power of the government back to the people. Remember "government of the people, by the people, and for the people"? That's what the "Meet and Vote" program is all about. It will allow the will of the people to circumvent the influence of special interest lobbyists, the political polarization of our leaders in Washington, judges who think they are supposed to use their bench to legislate, and even a president who might begin to think that he's a king instead of a president. There are no disadvantages to the "Meet and Vote" program. Not for the American Taxpayers anyway.

One of the biggest advantages of the "Meet and Vote" program is that it will force the truth to come out - on national television. If one of the speakers wants to deceive the viewers in an attempt to sway the thinking of the voters there will be someone there to correct his deception so that the American Taxpayers are not swayed to error. It's in the best interest of each speaker to be truthful and forthright, lest he gain a national reputation of being a liar and a deceiver. We want the American Taxpayers to get the complete truth about each issue so that the votes are properly cast. I promise that the process will always be kept on the up and up.

If I form a strong opinion about this issue between now (the end of 2006) and the presidential election, I will be sure to put it in writing here so that you can know what to expect. But for now this is one of the few issues that I don't have an opinion on. Even if I do form a strong opinion on this issue, the American Taxpayers will still be given the opportunity to hear the truth about it and vote on what direction they would like to see the nation take.