This election cycle has become a competition, an argument, an antagonistic defense posture, a conflict of winning or losing. Government should be none of these. It needs to be a discussion of reasonable debate where dissenting views are not on a scoreboard but are measured by their benefits and folded into an accepted plan. A plan voted into law by a represented majority.

So, here is your debate. Should broccoli or cauliflower be the national vegetable? If you choose eggplant or nopales, you’re independent (think RFK Jr.). Broccoli lovers have eaten cauliflower and the other way around. It seems immature for broccoli consumers to view cauliflower consumers with vitaminic vitriol. If you choose cauliflower, no intelligent diner would debase a broccoli eater wishing them indigestion. So, what do we do? We vote!

This is a discussion resulting in a decision by a gastronomic majority. The broccoli received more votes so the decision places the bushy-headed vegetable as a national symbol. The cauliflower still maintains its honorable place at the dinner table and is still a favorite among the vegetable-that-looks-like-a-brain fans. The status of one does not diminish the value of the other.

In 2003, Congress recognized the blueberry as the national fruit. As for me, I’m a mango.