I usually try to avoid political discussions on this blog at all costs, but there are times when the issues are so great and there is so much at stake that conversations like this can't help but bubble up to the surface.  After all, these issues are front and center in our lives right now like an elephant in the room - unless of course you spend your days reading People magazine or watching TMZ.  And if you do, well, that's OK I guess.  It's just that there are so many enormous things happening in the world, not to mention there's a war going on (two actually). When I was little, I always thought it would feel so different to be "at war."  Didn't you?  And yet we Americans do an amazing job of going on with our lives without letting the worries of the world intrude into our own personal Wisteria Lane.  Plus, talking about politics makes some people feel, well, uncomfortable.  And Americans hate feeling uncomfortable!  So what happens?  We Americans often make political decisions based on how the media spins something or how the gossip mill churned something or what candidate the newspaper recommends.  It's unfortunate.  We really need to do better.  How can we not talk about politics?  The choices we make in the next three months will impact the American way of life, and potentially the very lives of Americans, for years and generations to come.  I always try to keep politics to a minimum here.  But the issues at stake are so important and so compelling that they deserve at least a little air time.  It's my opinion of course.  And it's the beauty of living in a free country.  No one (except maybe a relative or two) is going to come break down my door and try to beat the crap out of me for expressing my opinion.  So here goes. ý Read on if you care.  ý Click here if you don't.