Let's talk politics -- or not.

James Madison's "Old Library", where he first devised a plan for the American government.
(Montpelier, 2011)

I have something weighing on my mind and it's been causing me some uneasiness for the past few days. And I've decided to put it all out here, kind of like a big brain-purge.

So, here it goes.

I hate shopping for jeans.

And I hate politics.

There, I said it. (Feels good to get that off my chest!)

I hate discussing political matters, I hate campaign season, I hate the venom that pundits from both sides spew at their opponents. I hate how divisive it is.

Mostly, I hate that people get so hung up on who's "electable" and who can win the race for their "team" that they won't even consider candidates who might actually do a good job.

The problem with the bipartisan system we currently have in place is that it severely limits our choices. To vote in the primary elections, you have to register with a party -- Republican or Democrat, elephant or donkey (ironically, both very smelly animals). So in the end, we're essentially left with a Republican and a Democrat to choose from for whatever office it may be (let's not even pretend the other candidates even stand a chance, because we all know they don't). Our choices are never anything in between those two polar opposites. So we choose between the lesser of two evils. We "put up with" the one who's just OK, like buying a bad pair of jeans and wearing them even though they fit pretty terribly and only get worse as time goes on. It seems like it's always been this way, at least it has been in my recent memory. The best pair of jeans is usually left behind after the Primaries, lying on the floor somewhere. Meanwhile, America is running around with a, muffin top, baggy butt and a dragging hem, dying for the next opportunity to find a pair of jeans that make our tush look good.

Let me ask you this, Americans: Is the two-party system working for us? Doesn't appear to be, in my opinion.

Does America need a conservative leader? Does America need a liberal leader? No, and no. America needs a leader who does what's best for our country, despite what side his ideals happen to land on. Someone who doesn't favor an agenda. Someone who doesn't pass legislation as an act of revenge on her opponents. Someone who doesn't base his decisions on party precedent. Someone who listens to the voice of the people.

Does America need someone who can take us back to our roots? Does America need someone ultra-progressive, who will take us on the path never trodden? No, and no. America needs a leader who will examine each issue and problem facing our nation and make decisions that allow us to move forward, not backward as we have been doing for so long.

America needs someone honest, someone who will not allow us to pass a horrendous national debt onto our children. America needs a strong, respectable leader who does not let fear guide her decisions. America needs someone compassionate yet concerned with the law; merciful yet just. America needs someone who will uphold the Constitution and protect the freedoms our Founding Fathers gave their lives for. And America needs someone who cares about families and values our children.

But most of all, America needs someone who will consult with God, first and foremost. Someone who will acknowledge He is the reason our country even exists and rely on Him for guidance. Because the answer does not lie in the White House, nor on Capitol Hill, nor in the Supreme Court. It lies with God.

That's what I think.

"So, Jenna," you ask, "is this 'someone' Republican? Democrat? Conservative? Liberal? Libertarian?"

Well, that's for you to figure out for yourself. Here's my Live Your Best challenge for you this week:

Do some research. Find a candidate (or even a few candidates -- no need to narrow it down just yet!) who you can really support. If he or she happens to be a GOP or Democratic front runner, don't take that as a sign that you picked the wrong one. It doesn't matter who you choose to support, as long as in your heart and mind you know you are making a good choice.

And I hate to put a time constraint on something so important, so feel free to take longer than a week with this one. But the challenge is to do a little digging this week, learn some new names. Read up on the issues.

Remember: it's almost always unwise to buy the first pair of jeans you see.