It's easier than you think!

Question: I am confused over the differences between the Democratic and Republican political parties. I am not a stupid woman. I have graduated from college and work as a professional. I voted in my first two presidential elections in 2000 and 2004. In both cases, I voted for George Bush. My parents would be horrified to know this. They are life long democrats. But I could not bring myself to vote for Al Gore or John Kerry. They both seem like such shallow men. I admit it had nothing to do with political parties; rather, it was simply that I had a hunch that Gore and Kerry were not up to the job. We have an election for U.S. Senate in my state. The democratic candidate comes from a political family of crooks in Memphis. I cannot vote for him. Again, by elimination, I will be voting republican. My parents would have a fit. Can you please explain the differences between the two parties? Can you do it in a way that is easy to understand? Lori M., Jackson, Tennessee.
Answer: Lori, there are several things to address from your question. First of all, you should know, and your parents should know, that the democratic party of today is not the democratic party of forty years ago. I have heard it said that if John Kennedy were coming along today, he most likely would be a republican. Your parents need to reevaluate why they vote democratic. Lori, perhaps you have heard the saying "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Simply put, this describes the difference between the democratic party and the republican party. The democratic party gives a man a fish. The republican party teaches the man how to fish. Also, look at how the democratic party has positioned itself. When someone good happens to America, it is bad for the democrats. When something bad happens to America, it is good for the democrats. For me, that is simply a terrible position for a political party to place itself. Like you, I felt I had no choice but to vote for Bush in the last two elections. Does that make me a republican? Since then, I have voted for a democrat for Governor of my state. Does that make me a democrat? Like you, Lori, I try to vote for the best person for the position. I think your woman's intuition (your hunch) has done you well. I am familiar with the Senate race in your state and think that you have come to a wise decision. In the last 25 years, I think that history will prove that the republicans, on a national level, have been far superior at handling the welfare of our nation than the democrats. The democratic party has been taken over by extreme liberal leftists and special interest groups. This has not been a positive either for the party or our nation. The reason, Lori, that it may seem confusing to you at times is because the three traditional television networks and nearly all of the large newspaper operations are also liberal leftists. They report the news with a liberal slant. They have a perspective that is the same as the democratic party. But the truth is out there. And it always works its way to the surface. It may takes years sometimes but the truth has a way of making itself known. An example of what I am referring to is Bill Clinton. He had always been the media's guy. But I am convinced that history will record his presidency as most likely the worst one of the 20th century. In some cases, we simply have to rely on our "hunches" and hope for the best.

World's Oldest City?

Question: I recently read about some ruins that were recently discovered in the deserts of western Egypt that are supposed to be extremely old. Where is, in your opinion, the world's oldest city? Stephen C., Lincoln, Nebraska.
Answer: When one is dating things, Stephen, it should not be a matter of opinion but simply fact. However, in archaeology, facts are not concise nor are they generally agreed upon. The ruins you refer to are mostly likely those at Nabta Playa whose stone astronomical alignments give a date of 17,700 B.C. or almost twenty thousand years of age. Also with astronomical alignments that point to around 20,000 years ago are the ruins at Tiahuanaco in Bolivia. This place is now frequently referred to as Tiawanaku. The original name was Taypicala. In addition to the alignments that indicate an extreme age, there are intricately carved stone monoliths that have been transported to this site that weigh in excess of 400 tons. How they were transported, we do not know. Some of the stonework shows precisely cut grooves and drill holes that look to be the work of modern technology. They were not chipped by hand. How they were produced we do not know. Based on what has thus far been recovered (and fully realizing that much is yet to be discovered), it is my opinion that Tiahuanaco is the world's oldest city.

Move on

Question: My boyfriend and I have been living together for almost seven months. We are both in our mid-twenties and both have good jobs. We plan to marry but I am having serious doubts. We get home from work at about the same time. I do all the housework and all the cooking. When I come in, I begin fixing supper. When he gets in, he watches television. After supper, he spends the entire evening playing video games. I mean like four or five hours straight until he goes to bed. We rarely have any sexual contact at all anymore. If this is to be my future with this man, I don't want it. What do you suggest? Can I change him? Trina C., San Diego, CA.
Answer: Can you change him? Not likely. And, if you did, the process you would go through to accomplish a positive change would not be worth it. The process would also change you — most likely in a negative way. A man in his mid-twenties who prefers video games to having a sexual relationship with a loving woman has some real problems. I have read of people, always males by the way, who have become obsessed and consumed by these interactive games. If you were a close friend of mine or a relative of mine, my suggestion to you, Trina, would be to "move on." And, if I were you, I would thank my lucky stars that you had not already married this man. If you were married to him, my suggestion would be different and much more complicated. However, since you are both young and independent, there is no good reason for you to continue this relationship. Even if you still love this man, it is obvious that his concept of love is different from yours. Move on — get your own apartment, continue in your job and follow your heart. Someone else will come to you. Everyone deserves to be happy. Your current boyfriend may be happy with the situation he has now but you obviously are not. You certainly should not continue in such a relationship. You will find someone who will love you and whom you will love. And the two of you will be happy together. And that is as it should be.

Pyramids were not tombs

Question: I am confused about something. In elementary school, in high school and in college, I was taught that the Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs. I just read a book that stated there was absolutely no proof that the pyramids had ever been used as tombs. What is the correct answer? Peter van Doorst, Chicago, IL.
Answer: The book you just read, Peter, is correct. There has never been any evidence or even any indication the any of the ten Egyptian pyramids were ever used as tombs. When you look at the design of the pyramids, especially that of the Great Pyramid, you quickly realize what a foolish notion it is that they were built as tombs. They have nothing in common with the real tombs that have been discovered in Egypt. I distinctly remember questioning my 6th grade teacher when he told us that the pyramids at Giza were built to be used as tombs for their pharaoh builders. The truth is that they were neither designed as tombs nor were they ever used as tombs.