Imagining the Middle: Can a Third Party Improve Decision-Making?

 Let us consider a third option from a philosophical standpoint. Imagine a hypothetical “Feather Party”—a party that does not currently exist and is best understood as a mental exercise rather than a proposal. The idea is whether a third party, loosely aligned with independent voters, could increase the number of elected officials who do not lean strongly to the right or left, but instead operate closer to the middle. The central question is whether such a party would meaningfully improve decision-making or simply result in wasted votes? It is ok.....argue, counter argue, keep, discard, etc.....or even choose not to think about it at all. But.....

A picture representing
voting what you believe
by your own values.
The feather represents
independent voters 
and their presence.
Illustrative.

If you look at today’s political landscape, many debates are framed as direct opposites. Yet opposing arguments do not always produce the best outcomes. It also can impact the how policies influence institutions or choices on where and how resources are spent. This is not an argument for or against any existing party, but rather for the potential influence of an independent voting bloc—one large enough to tip decisions in either direction and potentially introduce more balance into the process that helps further democratic purpose. In this framework, loyalty to a party label becomes less important than alignment with principles and practical outcomes (You join the party for its decision making matrix and its core universal values.). A party designed to minimize special interest and focus more on understanding what everyday people want. 

I’m not an expert on political parties, so this is meant as an open discussion (I just like to mentally mull ideas.). Some may dismiss the idea outright, labeling it impractical or ineffective—and that’s fine. Ideas can be tested, noted, and discarded if they don’t hold up. This is just a mental exercise and often they are intended to not be perfect so you have to do your own work in thinking (vs. letting others think for you.) Some might argue that the concept makes sense, especially for those who want greater focus on the middle class and the needs of everyday people, without having those concerns overly filtered through movers and shakers. A lean party that offers general guidance to independent voters and independent officials could, in theory, have a positive impact (or not 🤔).

(Sorry, the goal is to encourage one to think about it but not necessarily come to a conclusion unless that is their conclusion.)

There are also clear drawbacks to consider. A third party could split votes from the two major parties, or a group holding, say, 15% of the vote could wield disproportionate influence by tipping policy outcomes. That influence would likely be centered on what the party believes reflects middle-class priorities, shared values, and the needs of the next generation (Assuming they know so they would need a way of processing general sentiment). Political arguments are rarely all-or-nothing, so such a party would need to allow for variation while maintaining general alignment around core principles.

Ultimately, this idea may be good or bad—and reasonable people can disagree. It is a debate and a discussion, not a conclusion. The point is not to declare a definitive answer, but to explore whether it would help in ensuring that the average person’s voice is more fully represented. There is no single “right” conclusion here. The concept of an independent voting bloc introduces both meaningful possibilities and legitimate concerns. In the end, it’s up to each individual to weigh those factors and form their own opinion. No difference if one is for or against. 

A few things I saw below during a quick search. It actually doesn't seem that hard. Legal experts and philosophers each have their own challenges. One compromises the big picture for the details and the other compromises the details for the big picture. Where philosophy and practicality meet you might have a good idea....or maybe not. 😶 Either way vote your conscious.

FEC Party

Political Party Forms

2026 and Beyond: Turning Vision Into Action

Isaac knows that if 
he wants to build his snowshoe
custom shop in 2026
he will need to set some goals. 
With a little capital he
is looking for some small
shop space downtown Escanaba.
He invented a simple way
to bend wood and knows
he can get real leather 
locally. His method
is unique and he wants
to create his start-up and
export. Maybe list on
Amazon and eBay.

2026 is approaching quickly. Each new year brings an opportunity to try new things, create something meaningful, and pursue new horizons. It all begins with you—knowing what you want, taking the first steps in that direction, identifying what’s required, and staying committed until you reach your goals.

The specific goals themselves matter less than having a clear sense of direction and the discipline to work toward them every day. Grit is often the defining factor between success and failure. If you truly want to find a way forward, you will find one. Just start walking in that direction.

Motivation depends on whether your goals genuinely matter to you. Society, friends, work, and culture may suggest what you should want, but ultimately your goals must hold personal value. You have to be willing to stretch yourself and reach as far as necessary to achieve them. (This is why employers should match personal and professional goals as much as possible.)

Those goals can take many forms—starting a business, finishing school, improving your health, or pursuing something entirely different. Everything begins with a vision or yourself or what you want to accomplish. Once you can see what success looks like, you can begin taking deliberate steps toward making it real. Additional tips and guidance follow below in this interesting article.

8 Tips for Achieving Goals

Creating Stronger Systems Encourages the Achievement of Societal Goals (The Story of the Clan: Hate & Corruption)

 What we learn from thought experiments is how systems might function under different scenarios, pressures and conditions. Corruption can be understood as the misuse of resources for illicit gain, while hate divides society and diminishes the rights and dignity of others. The Story of the Clan was designed as a philosophical thought experiment to explore how these forces operate across a range of circumstances in a hypothetical situation—from extreme levels of hate to systemic misuse of power and resources.

A group discussing the central
roots of society.
“What is the essence of life?
To serve others and to do good.”
Aristotle

In the story, the community experiences a decline in both population and economic health. This mirrors what often occurs in places that are poorly aligned with market realities or governed by decision-making that stray from the foundational principles of a healthy economy. When these failures were successfully challenged and new leadership and ideas emerged, the result was improved social well-being and a stronger sense of community. Over time, this renewal encouraged broader-based investment and development—more inclusive than what had existed before.

The story also illustrates how both official and unofficial rules shape the way corruption and hate are handled. In this case, religious minorities were openly targeted, children were harmed, victims were told they deserved mistreatment because of their beliefs, an inner social network spread intentionally false rumors to damage credibility, employment was blocked because of those rumors, and parents were publically mocked by this group for trying to protect their families. Some of the associated members were involved in other misbehaviors in other areas and investigations into those were sidelined. Witnesses and whistleblowers were subjected to fabricated, hate-driven accusations. Ultimately, the system failed to function as expected, creating two classes of citizenship and eroding basic trust in institutions. Giving perpetrators the right to make decisions over others that at their root are illegal, violations of human rights, and grotesquely entitled (They judged the victims from their ethno-centric, religious, political perspective in a demeaning and intentionally harmful way that was more reflective of their issues.). The roots of partial collectivization apparent in the process and the outcome.

These events were not unprecedented within the story. Patterns of tolerated misconduct and group-based wrongdoing had become normalized in some social groups. They have done this for years and take a type of pleasure in spreading false information about others with no respect for other's boundaries. Good officials had to navigate and work around more corrupted ones. The local judge knew these things were an issue but failed to act and in some ways made a backroom deal with those causing the problem. While victimization can be a subjective concept, there is value in examining how openly embraced wrongdoing exposes systemic weaknesses. Failure, when confronted honestly, can lead to improvement—and those improvements can positively affect both social cohesion and economic health. In theory and practice, the two are deeply intertwined; one cannot fully exist without the other. Where you might get small spurts of growth they eventually equalize. 

The story also offers a silver lining by illustrating how such wrongdoing can be challenged. When individuals openly confronted corruption and spoke out against hate, meaningful change followed. It may not be popular but it is necessary. Many involved were both victims and witnesses, and whistleblowers learned that unwritten rules often carry more power than formal ones. Still, ethical officials and community members recognized that long-standing “above the law” behavior was corrosive. It was the collective action of the community that ultimately restored purpose where institutions had deliberately fallen short. They did not solve everything but they moved the needle and installed a higher moral conscious and expectation. 

What this story ultimately teaches us is the importance of placing people in leadership who genuinely understand and uphold shared societal values. One might call this the best and brightest over the most connected. The most connected sometimes have obligations that are not in direct alignment with society or their needs (hence, they were chosen and vetted for those positions for a reason.). There will always be individuals and groups willing to undermine institutions for personal gain and mistreat others if left unchecked. Such behavior imposes real costs on society. When checks and balances are weak or wrongdoing goes uncorrected, social trust and economic stability suffer. It is therefore in our collective best interest to encourage decision-making rooted in shared values—because doing so strengthens institutional trust, social cohesion, and economic exchange.

As a side note those that do challenge wrongdoing have much more value and concern over a healthy society when compared to those who engaged in misbehaviors or silently accept the "rules of the road". Religion, race and other superficial differences have nothing to do with one's true value in society. In a merit based system, which is what any society should strive, those who use such superficial differences are basing their values on things that have little association with performance or their positive impact. People who engage in or allow hate and corruption are not truly doing their duty nor are they helping society. Societies are built from underlining values that creates expectations and it is always important to maintain those values even if some may feel they are not of particular importance. It just is what it is. As you move into the new year think of your values. Think of how your beliefs and votes help to better ensure the right kind of people are entrusted in positions of authority. We all own the future together, don't let anyone tell you different.

*This is a thought experiment so feel to change up the elements and come to whatever conclusion you desire. 

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan Discusses Federal Reserve, AI Jobs and Tariffs

If you’re interested in business, it’s worth paying attention to executives from leading companies, as they analyze markets and economic conditions on a daily basis. In this video, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan discusses several important topics of the day within an interview.

A few key points stood out:

• Independent Federal Reserve: Markets operate with the expectation that the Federal Reserve remains independent, which is critical for stability and confidence.

• AI and Jobs: Young people, in particular, should learn about AI, as it will increasingly become part of their working lives.

• Tariffs: Some tariff-related issues are likely to ease over time.

Overall, the discussion offers useful insights into how major institutions are thinking about economic policy, technology, and the broader business environment.

Economic Crosscurrents: Inflation, AI, and the Road to 2026

Tom isn't really sure about 
which way the economy is going
so he puts a few extra
stockpiles on the side
just in case. 

The Guardian recently published an interesting piece on the economic outlook for 2026. I have to admit, I’m somewhat surprised by the conclusions. A few months ago, I expected the economy to remain sluggish through the New Year—not collapsing, but not particularly strong either. Instead, it appears we’re on a growth trajectory. How stable that growth will be remains uncertain, but for now, the indicators suggest things are holding up reasonably well.

According to the report, inflation is expected to ease, though it will likely remain a concern in the bond market. Unemployment may increase as new technologies are adopted, and there will be continued pressure to accelerate AI development. Job displacement and replacement. All of these factors are still part of a broader, somewhat muddled economic picture, but they are key metrics worth watching closely.

Rapid AI development is a particular concern. While it has the potential to drive growth, it can also create bubbles—especially since many people don’t fully understand the technology yet continue to invest and push its adoption. Progress is difficult, if not impossible, to stop, so we’ll likely have to embrace AI much as we did the internet, accepting that both positive and negative consequences will emerge from the same technology. In the meantime, someone out there is certainly making a great deal of money.

At a personal level, the best approach is to practice sound fiscal judgment: keep your budget in order and be prepared to weather economic shifts. It would also be encouraging to see everyday people—those most affected by policy decisions—have a stronger voice in the decision-making process. They are often the most sensitive to price changes and economic disruptions, and their perspective offers an important lens through which these issues can be understood.

Five charts that explain the global economic outlook for 2026

Sculling Burns Calories and Allows You To Enjoy the Water (Fitness Training)

Omar realizes that
the more he rows the more
the rust falls off. He will
need to hydrate with some coconut
water he brought with him. 

I used to scull and row, and I recently got back into it in San Diego, which has a pretty strong rowing community. I enjoy being on the water while getting my exercise in—there’s something uniquely calming about gliding across the surface and taking in the beauty of the bay. It doesn’t really matter where you’re rowing; what matters is that you’re out there, connected to nature, experiencing the real world long before everything could be replicated in virtual reality.

That said, it actually could be pretty interesting to try ERG rowing with a virtual headset. I’ve never done it, but I imagine it could be a fun and immersive experience. For now I prefer the real stuff. 

Whether you’re rowing indoors or outdoors, you’ll quickly notice how many calories you burn. It’s a highly engaging sport, with roughly 500 or more calories burned in an hour, which is significant. There’s also the benefit of short, intense HIIT-style intervals, where you push through bursts of maximum effort.

The coxswain plays a big role in this process—constantly calling out, pushing you, and demanding that everyone pull their weight. Their ability to spot inefficiencies in stroke technique, arm position, feathering, and overall movement comes from years of experience.

I strongly believe in engaging in a variety of sports so you can use different parts of your body and naturally develop diverse skill sets. I hold both a fitness trainer license and a yoga license, and I’ve participated in many sports throughout my life. If you’re looking for a little guidance or support, feel free to send me a message and we can set something up. 

VA Releases Findings on Vaccines, Heart Disease, and Veteran Homeless Care

The VA has released several interesting findings that highlight ongoing research into respiratory vaccines, potential treatments for heart disease, and healthcare services for homeless veterans. Research aimed at supporting veterans is critically important, as it often leads to new discoveries that can make a real difference in people’s lives. While research is a long and rigorous process, even incremental progress can result in saving or improving hundreds—if not thousands—of lives.

Staying informed about VA news is helpful for veterans and for those who work with or support them. It provides insight into what resources are available and how taxpayer dollars are being used. The three studies referenced below were released by the VA and are available for review if you are interested in their findings.

Thank you, veterans, for your service.

VA Research Wrap Up: New findings on RSV vaccines, heart disease and homelessness

Notes and  Random Thoughts: This is part of a project I am working on with veterans (unpaid because I know its important). I have deep respect for those who are willing to sacrifice for our society. Many people who seek leadership roles—and even some who attain them—have never had to sacrifice or give back in meaningful ways. This lack of lived experience can lead to short-sighted decisions.

Being born with opportunity is not, by itself, a leadership strength. True leadership is often shaped by learning to go without, enduring hardship, and developing empathy through experience. Without having walked in their shoes, it is difficult to truly relate to this population. In many cases, unchecked privilege can actually be a detriment to effective leadership. Veterans often make greater leaders.

A willingness to stand for something greater than oneself is one of the clearest indicators of leadership potential. Veterans embody this quality, and they remain a resource whose skills, perspectives, and leadership capacity have not yet been fully recognized or utilized.