I don't know about you pholks, but this election thing is just too much.

Despite all the success this fine nation has had since the Founding Fathers carved out what by most is the best form of government so far, I can't help but feel some changes need to be made, especially in elections. Personally, I don't know what a Super Delegate really is, looks like or does. Even those I know who are Democrats can't tell me what a Super Delegate is and what his or her role is or what will be. And if those guys and gals are so important, why don't the Republicans have them?

I admit I don't have a real solution but this constant bombardment is driving me nuts.

As a result, I have devoted a bit of free time thinking about possible ways out of this whole Presidential snafu. I have more work to do and don't suggest by any means that anything I have so far been tossing around will fix things. I consider it food for thought and reserve the right to change the ingredients or start all over before putting my plan in the political oven.

Years ago, I suggested an essay contest for Presidential hopefuls and subsequently it found its way into a political science textbook.

Obviously, not enough pholks took it serious enough or just didn't pay attention. The proof is the current rotten state of affairs in election campaigns. Nothing improved, it just got rottener and rottener. Drawn-out campaigns are too hard to swallow.

This time around I'm looking to television for the basis of my campaign for campaign reform.

Television's Golden Age and current glut of programming are the key ingredients which still might be lacking some gourmet touches.

My first batch of shows include oldies such as “To Tell the Truth,” Let's Make a Deal,” “What's My Line?,” “The Sixty-Four Thousand Dollar Question,” “You Bet Your Life,” “Who Do You Trust?” and “This is Your Life.” Of course, we couldn't forget “Truth or Consequences.”

Pholks, some of these are naturals and need little, if any explanation. The plan would be to start out with those who have some political experience and be qualified to be President. Each major party and a third party composed of a consortium of other candidates would have its own series of parallel programs.

Auditions are still a fuzzy issue which I need to give more consideration. I would suggest the selection committee include a cross section of qualified individuals excluding Rush Linbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Michael Moore, Al Franklin and the like. Paula Abduh and Simon Cowell and Oprah and other show biz types should have no place in this process.

Those selected for “games” would compete in all the shows. Those scoring the most points would make it to the next series of shows: “Deal or No Deal,” “Wheel of Fortune” and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” All of these have some luck involved, even “Millionaire” where you can get lucky with the right questions and a one-in-four chance of guessing right. We all know any President has to have some luck. In “Millionaire,” contestants also can get help from someone selected due to their fields of expertise. In fact, it is possible that the eventual winner could discover a perfect staff or Presidential Cabinet member.

The finals would be a three-round “Jeopardy” match. This pholks, seems to me the way to find out who knows what about what. Selection of categories would be critical and well guarded.

An American President obviously doesn't necessarily have to be the smartest person in the nation or even in the top 30 to 40 percent. The proof is there. But beating two other “Presidential Jeopardy” finalists certainly should raise the level of leadership intellect for the most part.

Maybe the top Demo, GOPer, and Third Party “Presidential Jeopardy” winners could wage a one-month campaign to win the Oval Office. I'm just not sure. That could be the subject of what I would call a Presidential Debate.

Maybe you pholks think my idea is just half-baked, but it would save a lot of dough, not to mention campaigning which would be much easier to swallow and cause less stomach upset.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com