That’s a ton of hype for one human to handle.

So what happens when one can’t rise to the level they’ve been elevated, when the clairvoyant Chief Executive falls short of our lofty expectations, when the Providential POTUS fails to materialize? Our disappointment turns to disgruntlement while the many slowly turn on the man. When the delusional God King myth becomes apparent, when the hype proves hollow as the non-fiction slides into fiction, we never blame ourselves; too busy directing our anger towards the target of our projections, I suspect.

Truth be told, you can’t always blame the myth when things go wrong. Myths are manmade, crafted in our minds, invested with our energy, sustained by our hopes and fears. Even though some superstars begin to believe in the inflated claims, convincing themselves of their own eminence, we are the founders of our fairy tales, the makers of our myths.

With all that currently confronts our country from a sliding economy, oil gushers, terrorist threats and natural disasters we’d all be better of to remember that you can’t spell mortal without the “m” in Obama.

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Today, I’m wondering aloud. Imagine if for just a moment, that the underlying theme of both the Tea Party movement and the results of the Massachusetts election were more of a wakeup call to you and I, the electorate, more then it was to the elected. What if the message, the challenge is for us, not for them?

While both the Dems and the GOP busy themselves spinning the reason(s) for the “voter backlash” what if we were to turn the tables and use the rising energy to our advantage? What if, given the mood of late, we kept the Dems and the GOP on the ropes? We kept the political punches and jabs coming, and to quote Muhammed Ali, “rope-a-dope.” I know it sounds crazy but what if we kept up the pressure on the established and entrenched politicians and political parties, and used our collective advantage to finally get them to tap out?

Now, I’m not suggesting a third party. Not terribly helpful in this day and age. I am however suggesting and alternative political platform, one that politicians and would-be politicians alike would have to officially endorse and contractually agree to support the will of the electorate. Insane, I know.

Scott Brown ran for the Senate as a “NO” vote on health-care. Suppose, just for a second, that we started to identify those individuals willing to run FOR something, say term limits, open primary elections at the state and federal levels, a flat tax, a long overdo line-item veto for the President or to open the Federal Reserve to full disclosure and transparency?  I know it’s lunacy to imagine, but what if we found those visionaries that would stand for free trade, to champion states rights or to enact real reform for health-care and make the HMO’s compete across state lines, that exposed campaign finance reform for what it truly is?

I know, I’m mad, unhinged, certifiable. But let’s say we make the term “career politician” and oxymoron.

It’s time for a smack-down. Instead of being talked-down to, we will finally tell them where to go. No more one way streets. We become the power brokers. We’ve got them in the cage, let’s keep them there.

No more Contracts for America.

How about a Contract From America?

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With Summer fast approaching, a quick refresher course of the things you and I can do to protect ourselves from mosquitoes and ticks and the diseases they may carry is in order. Read more to see my latest survival VIDEO.

Tip number 1.

Stay Hydrated. 70% of human body is composed of water. Don’t forget. Staying properly hydrated helps your whole body run smoothly. The sun, the wind, even indoor air conditioning does a great job of dehydrating us. Watch for excess caffeine and alcohol intake and make sure to get a couple liters of fresh water into your system each day. I like to fill a ½ gallon jug, put it in the fridge at home or at the office and finish it by the end of the day. Remember, by the time you are thirsty, it is already too late. For tips for staying hydrated on the fly check out Katadyn Water Filters and Purifiers.

Tip Number 2.

Watch the Sun. We need to protect our bodies and our eyes from the harmful rays, UVA and UVB, from the sun. Use a broad spectrum sunblock with a decent SPF and clothing with UPF or Ultraviolet Protection Factor to protect yourself.

Tip Number 3.

Watch for the critters looking to grab a free lunch. Ben’s water-based DEET in the 100 max formula and Ben’s 30 are great at helping to combat ticks, mosquitoes and a long list of insects. I also use Natrapel 8 hour insect repellent with the active ingredient of 20% Picaridin, proven as effective as DEET along with After Bite Outdoor, “The Itch Eraser” are must haves. Please see the latest video on this topic.

Tip Number 4.

Prepare for emergency first aid. Now, the greatest misunderstanding about Emergency First Aid is a timing one. The term implies that it is in the opening moments of the emergency that our thoughts and actions of First Aid kick in. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Emergency First Aid, to be effective, begins long before the actual emergency.

Though it’s true that Emergency First Aid situations have an impromptu aspect, a suddenness that springs upon us when we least expect it, these occurrences need not catch us of guard. A plan (get it, learn it, rely on it) is the first step in any first aid preparedness. (See Memories of Hurricane Katrina…..for more info).

Now a plan serves three purposes.

1. It helps to postpone our sense of panic in an emergency situation. When an emergency hits, our bodies (actually our minds go first) enter the “fight or flight” stage. At this moment, a myriad of chemicals rushes into our bloodstream for the sole purpose of aiding us in the above situation. Stay or go, you will need the energy to do so and this is the natural purpose of these inner chemicals. At that point, you need to ask yourself only one question, “Am I going to use these chemicals or are these chemicals going to use me?”  When we have a plan, we use the chemicals; when we panic, these chemicals use us. In the end, if we panic, we perish, as the old survival saying goes.

One way to hijack this rush of chemicals is to have a plan, rehearse it in your mind and be prepared for whatever chance throws at you. (Get it, learn it, rely on it).

2. While a plan gives us a sense of purpose, our goal is to survive alive. Period. When we have a clear picture in our mind’s eye of not only what we want to do (survive alive) but also why we want to do it (life, family, friends), that sense of purpose infuses us with the drive to survive.

3. A pre-thought and practiced plan gives us a blueprint. Plain and simple. A mental step by step, if you will.

As a part of any plan, CPR certification by your local American Red Cross and a basic Wilderness First Aid course, like those offered by NOLS and SOLO is a tremendous first step. My personal certification comes from NOLS and the American Red Cross.

The second part of my plan includes a gear list, gear I use as a part of my “hit-kit” that goes wherever I do.

1. SPOT Satellite Messenger. In an emergency situation, this absolutely enhances your chances of survival.

2. Adventure Medical Kit. Designed by a medical with hospital quality instruments and the EZ Care system.

3. Ben’s and Natrapel 8 hour insect repellants along with After Bite Outdoor. Must haves.

4. A heavy duty Multi-tool like the ones from SOG Knives.

5. A “hands free” headlamp (with fresh batteries) like the ones from PrincetonTec.

As you work with your kit, you will no doubt identify some other accessories that fit your personal needs.

On a final note, don’t forget the Mindups. Close your eyes, picture yourself in the emergency situation, envision it as if you are looking at it THROUGH YOUR OWN EYES.  Remember that when you do so, your mind and body believes it to be actually happening. See yourself implementing the plan, using your gear, keeping a level head.

If you practice the B.E.S.T chances for survival technique, lead with it in ANY emergency or survival situation.

When you practice all of the above, you take the “all of a sudden” out of  “all of the sudden.” Doing so is the first step to surviving!

Just 13 sentences into his speech he calls for conservation efforts with “each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.” Later in his comments he challenges us to “harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories…and roll back the specter of a warming planet.” Recognizing our need to “think globally and act locally” he reminded an international audience not to “consume the worlds resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.”

Now, with the ceremony over, the presidential parade almost a memory and the celebratory balls just a few hours away, I hold hope for a Green President, I await a day when my “Green RV” is no longer newsworthy because it is commonplace, a future when every President, be they from blue or red states, every leader of our country is a Green Leader when all politics ultimately put our people first by putting the planet first.