Many African Americans say they're voting for Obama because it's their time. Many white people say they'll vote for McCain because they "just can't vote for a black man." Some women are voting for McCain because Obama didn't pick Hillary as his Vice Presidential candidate - some because McCain chose Governor Sarah Palin, a woman . Other women are voting for Obama because they are insulted by McCain's pandering to them - his appearing to think that a woman will vote for any other woman. The Christian Right seems to condemn all criticisms of Sarah Palin as merely the "disdain of pro-life and Christianity." Some Jewish people tell me they'll vote for McCain because he's "a friend of Israel."

Abraham Lincoln said: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” That idea makes a lot of sense to me so I've decided to continue to vote as I usually do...using my brain .

But I'm keeping an open mind; if there's a candidate out there who is pro-life (re:birth) and pro-choice (re:school selection), has both black and white ancestry, has one Christian parent, one Jewish parent, a Muslim aunt or uncle, and, this next one is a potential deal-breaker, a hermaphroditic half-brother (or sister), well then, I'll vote like those other folks.

It's a no-brainer.

Tragically so for America.

Arthur Gurmankin