A featherhead's idea for cluckers

TWO MORE ITEMS for a time capsule that will help future historians define our generation of deep political thinkers:

SUE LOWDEN, a Republican senatorial candidate in Nevada, has proposed a simple solution to the nation's soaring health insurance costs. It works this way: the next time you visit your doctor, bring along a chicken to pay for your treatment. Although she hasn't said so, we presume the chicken is alive. Or is it? Either way, a chicken is the symbol of an old bartering system that Ms. Lowden wants to create. If the doctor refuses to go along with your feathery offer, try to persuade him or her with two chickens. She's confident it will work. "Doctors are very sympathetic people," she clucks. Sounds crazy, I know. But you must remember that Ms. Lowden is the former chairwoman of Nevada's Republican Party.

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Glenn Beck, the right-wing oddball, says he celebrated Earth Day by burning his garbage with styrofoam. He also leaves his car outside his studio with the motor idling to do his part for global warming. It would be nice if he made some sense once in a while. But what can anybody do about a guy who was born in a squirrel's nest and lives in a tree?

UPDATE: NEVADA? THE LATEST VEGAS LINE GIVES 500-1 ODDS AGAINST THE DOCS ACCEPTING THE CHICKENS.