As my wife and I watched the Wimbledon highlights on the NBC newscast last night, I found myself comparing the furious competition of the two players trying to gain an advantage over their opponent to what had recently transpired in Washington, DC. Instead of using a tennis ball to defeat their opposition, the Republicans and Democrats used health insurance as their political weapon. When they met with the President earlier in the year, both sides agreed on many of the goals that needed to be reached in healthcare, but they could not agree on the steps that needed to be taken to reach them. By the time the House met to vote on the Senate's Healthcare Bill on March 21st, the two sides were still diametrical opposites. With 216 votes required for a win, the Democrats squeaked by with a 219-212 margin.

I daresay, that 100% of the United States citizens have an opinion on health insurance. Most want it fixed, some want it left alone, while others just want the Government to provide for all our needs so they do not have to think about it. Whatever the opinion, I have not been in a gathering, with a minimum of three people all year, where the conversation did not eventually turn to health insurance.

So, on an election year, what would make a better political weapon than an issue that everyone has an opinion on, and that dominates most conversations? The political weapon of choice for 2010 is the pros and cons of making health insurance available to everyone. "Why not include their animals?" I have even heard more that one person say.

Mixed in with all the turmoil and exchange of political weaponry exhibited by the two established political parties, this year we have the emergence of the Tea Party, who claim to have over 61 million supporters.

This grass root movement is drawing huge crowds everywhere they meet. They are very vocal and have an opinion on many subjects, especially health insurance and the preservation of our American values. Despite some of the venomous statements coming out of the meetings, things have been surprisingly peaceful. This year, we have a virtual stockpile of political weapons.

Still, with all this combative positioning going on, we are a Nation of peace. Isn't it great, to live in a country where we can be directly opposed to others, yet we live in peace. Our weapon of choice is politics, not firearms. Except for a few rebellious souls in our midst, we try to settle our differences at the ballot box.

Come November, the people will be heard!