Maybe the best we've ever had.

Mr. Cool. That's Barack Obama. I like that. Think about it. Have you ever seen Obama lose his cool? Lose his temper? Not even underneath. I look for signs. The way one smiles. Or doesn't smile. One's body movements. Obama is happy within himself. In his skin. Without being arrogant. He's at peace. And fair-minded. Not vindictive. He really would try to pull people together. Still, some people don't like him. Because he's cool. They like the hot-tempered. Because they are more entertaining. The bombastic political pundits, for instance. McCain. He ain't cool. He's an uptight fuddy-duddy. Ill-tempered. And Sarah Palin. Empty-headed. And mean-spirited. A remote control robot. Anyway, I know what I like. Obama is a breath of fresh air. He could be a great president. Maybe the best we've ever had. --Jim Broede

Glory, glory Hallelujah!

John McCain says it's class warfare. Because Democrats such as Barack Obama want a redistribution of wealth in the USA. Well, that's one war I can support. The rich are too rich. And the poor are too poor. So redistribution is the right thing to do. The gap between the rich and poor has been widening and widening under the American capitalist system. The no-conscience capitalists will foist their immoral ways on the masses as long as they can get away with it. Greed predominates. That's one reason why our economy is in a downspin at the moment. Think of it, folks, our economy at the founding of the nation was based in large part on slavery. And it still is to some degree. Only in more subtle ways. It's based on exploitation of the working class. The poor and middle classes. If that makes me sound like a socialist, so be it. Rise up, I say. Let's lower taxes on people making less than $250,000 and raise taxes on the rich, as Obama advocates. And if that's class warfare -- well, then glory, glory Hallelujah! Let's go marching off to war. --Jim Broede

Accomplishing the impossible.

Barack Obama speaks to me. He represents what is good about America. That he can capture the imaginations of a majority of American voters. And most likely, get himself elected president. Wow! That is some accomplishment. I once thought I'd never live to see a black president. Yes, live to see someone transcend the long-time underlying, deep racism in America. Oh, how proud I will be of my country if Obama makes it all the way to the White House. He will have accomplished what back in the 1960s would have seemed impossible. --Jim Broede

How to pick our leaders.

I'm thinking that in the world of politics, almost anything goes. Deceit. Lies. Character assassinations. Yes, even murder. It's one big free-for-all. Especially at the top level of politics. Because those at the top often got there because they are ruthless. And really good liars. Bull shooters, so to speak. They are people in love with power. And they love adulation. They experience euphoria at winning an election and getting into a position of power. One might say it's their orgasm. So beautiful. So sweet. I find that if there are any honest politicians, they are at the lower levels. At the local level. Maybe a mayor or city council member or a school board member. But the ones that keep going higher and higher to state and national office -- well, they have to be driven. By ambition. By ego. They have to be willing to play the game of politics. Willing to put on an act. Merely to corral support...and money...and votes. That's the nature of high level politics. I know it's sad. I know that the people who would be our best leaders don't want the job. Because they'd have to play politics. Some day, I'd like to see a nation that finds its leaders from those who refuse to seek the office. --Jim Broede

gawd forbid...a Republican.

I want you to know, folks, that I associate with Republicans. Even my daughter is a Republican. But that doesn't make me a Republican. I also know Christians, but that doesn't make me a Christian. And I've known felons, but that doesn't make me a criminal. Or I could have been acquainted with perceived political radicals, but that doesn't make me a communist. Yes, I don't want to be judged by the company I might keep. After all, I'm a curious fella. I like to associate with people who don't think like me. But I suppose that if I were running for president -- well, the likes of John McCain and Sarah Palin would take me to task. For not keeping proper company. They might label me a terrorist sympathizer or an advocate of liberation theology or a security risk or, gawd forbid, something even worse -- a Republican. --Jim Broede

Kind of scary, isn't it?

When I go walking in my neighborhood I see lawn signs for 'McCain-Palin.' Not any for 'Obama-Biden.' Maybe that's a bad omen. Or I just happen to live in a Republican neighborhood. Anyway, twice today, I stopped in two yards and asked, 'Why should I vote for McCain-Palin?'

One guy said, 'Because McCain is older. He's been around for a while.' That didn't seem reason enough for me. 'What about the issues?' I asked. The guy thought for a while. "I'll have to study the issues,' he finally said. I hope he does.

Another guy said, 'I'm gonna vote for McCain because he's the lesser of two evils.' I countered, "But aren't you scared? What if he dies in office and Palin becomes president?' He replied: 'Oh, well, our presidents are just figureheads. And she's pretty good to look at.'

Yes, folks, it's my neighborhood. Soon it will be Halloween. Kind of scary, isn't it? --Jim Broede

...as if I am in Italy.

Autumn has arrived in Minnesota. The colors are red and yellow and orange and amber. And when I walk, I hear the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. I also don a jacket or sweater. And overnight, the furnace turns on. But I'm still waiting for the first frost. That could be any day now. I'll have to bring in my 10-foot ficus tree and my 5-foot Norfolk pine. And one of these days, I'll be shoveling snow. It's good exercise. Anyway, summer was nice. But I like the change of seasons. I was at a chamber concert in a church in Venice this summer. The music was Vivaldi. The Seasons. And so, every time I listen to the music now, it's as if I am in Italy. --Jim Broede