Is the coming election about a person or a party? Should we focus on the spokesmen or the likely full cast of administrative characters on each side? Are the dominant issues (I count 42) all black and white in their simplicity? Will the voting public prefer entertainment by multiple ideological crusades or greater Congressional consensus? Does it take another war to unify a more philosophically divided and culturally diversified nation? Would such a conflict originate internally or from outside influences and forces? Should we expect a quick and conclusive technological ending or more of a talking heads n ori endurance contest?Judging from recent street and campus uprisings, can we still rally around a common 50-star flag? The American spirit that has driven our success has been based on the combination of respect for shared law and order and individual initiative and accomplishment. The current need is to overcome tribal conflict and a lost sense of personal responsibility. Make good use of your quadrennial opportunity to influence the outcome as intended by the founders – through the collective power of the people. Phil Osifer