The Alzheimer’s Association Web site states that more than five million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease. It appears the number is a lot higher given last year’s election results and what may happen during next year’s presidential election.

Because of the war in Iraq and the administration’s other short comings, it appears the Democrats are ready to gain seats across the board.

Is this a good thing though?

Americans seem to suffer from a “Political Alzheimer’s” of sorts and forget they voted the other party out of office a few years prior.

The Republican Party lost the majority in the House and Senate not because the Democratic Party was infinitely better, but on the idea “Hey, these guys are not Republicans. Let’s vote for them.”

There are just as many — if not more — flaws among Democratic politicians. Need an example?

Well, there was the day in July 1969 that Ted Kennedy left Mary Jo Kopechne to drown in a car he wrecked while allegedly intoxicated. He delayed reporting it for approximately nine hours. He served no jail time and still holds a public office.

If that is not enough to make you question if it is wise to vote more Democrats into office, another example is former Rep. Cynthia McKinney. McKinney was allegedly anti-Semitic and surrounded herself with anti-Semites from the New Black Panther Party. According to MSNBC.com, one member of her entourage claimed Israel was behind her loss to her opponent. She also struck a House of Representatives security guard when he did not recognize her.

Even though incidents like these, the American people seem to conveniently forget and re-elect that party a few years later. In America, it seems we have it in our minds there are only two parties to choose from, not dozens like a lot of European countries have.

Well, my fellow students, there are a lot more political parties in America than just the Democrats. According to Politics1.com, there are more than 50 different parties to choose from in the United States. There is the Green Party, the Constitution Party and the U.S. Marijuana Party. Even the American Nazi Party still exists, although that route is probably not the one to take.

One of the larger political parties in America is the Libertarian Party, whose members usually do surprisingly well in local elections. However, the party is having trouble making the jump into state offices because of the “Political Alzheimer’s” people seem to have.

Do not vote for Barack Obama or “Hill-dog” just to punish the reigning party. Instead, look at whoever the Constitution Party decides to run for president or maybe even vote for Republican Rep. Paul. Ron Paul was a front runner for the Libertarian Party before becoming a Republican because Libertarians don’t get elected. A Libertarian or other third-party candidate being elected would be an upset in America’s history, yet our forgetfulness may prevent us from ever seeing this happen.

Alzheimer’s remains incurable. To cure “Political Alzheimer’s,” however, all voters need to do is push the button beside the third -party of their choosing. Please, help end this epidemic now.

Ted Hamilton is a senior magazine journalism major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].