"What if this is as good as it gets?" Melvin Udall

Jack Nicholson won an Oscar for his portrayal of Melvin Udall in the Oscar nominated film, "As Good As It Gets." He portrayed a man with OCD who was so set in his ways that he was avoiding love, friendship, and enjoyment in his life. Many Floridians who are voting November 2nd may feel like Melvin; stuck in their political ways, avoiding feeling love for any political figure, and not enjoying the state of the economy. With the upcoming Florida Governor election, has the state of Florida recognized the best of the best when it comes to who can run the Sunshine State?

No matter what party in which one is affiliated, a registered voter has to wonder, "Do I really want to vote for this person?" Does Rick Scott (R) really get a voter fired up about the future of the state? Does Alex Sink (D) really have the trust of voters from Pensacola to the Florida Keys? Sigh. A man accused of fraud, and a woman accused of being responsible for the sub prime mortgage flop is all we could drudge up to run the peninsula. Is this as good as it gets?

For those who did not see the 1997 film, Melvin was stubborn. So are voters. Melvin was a complainer. So are voters. Melvin was cranky. So are voters. The only person to blame for Melvin's life not going in the direction he wished it would go, was Melvin himself. Sound familiar, voters? The only people to blame for the two major party candidates on the ballot are the Melvins of Florida. The stubborn, complaining, cranky voters, who begrudgingly vote for their party candidate in the primary, then are less than excited when it comes time in the general election. Same story, different ballot.

Melvin's story, however, has a happy ending. Not a fairy tale, over the top, romantic ending, but a happy one. Melvin softens and falls for Carol, a waitress played by Helen Hunt. He befriends a homosexual artist named Simon. Melvin was able to overcome his need to insult everyone who crossed his path.

So, on November 2nd, take a good look at your ballot. Do you really want to vote for a candidate who is as good as it gets? It is hard to believe that out of all the eligible people in Florida, the list of candidates is less than impressive. Voters rely on their neighbors to vote for a party candidate, instead of rallying together for a middle class, family oriented, personable citizen to run for office. It's time Floridians realize that in order to have the state they want, they need to change. It's time for the Sunshine State to have its happy ending. And if Melvin can change, anyone can.