((Brian's Note: Paula Francis is a weeknight news anchor at KLAS in Las Vegas. She is a fixture in the Sin City TV scene. She is nice and thoughtful; one of the best people I know. She is also a stickler for accuracy in reporting. I got better by working with her. She also shares my snarky sense of humor.))

 An election year is always exciting and Americans have a great opportunity this November. We can overcome two "isms" that haunt our society. Racism and ageism. By overlooking both race and age in this election, voters automatically will make America a better place.

 Yet we continue to hear so much discussion of both race and age in this campaign, in the national media. The pundits wring their hands and ask "Will white Americans vote for a black man?" or "Will young Americans vote for an old man?" By making generalizations, we miss the point. Despite belonging to each of two major parties, these men are first and foremost individuals. A lifetime of experience and influences help form their personalities. Yet for every human, there is an indefinable tough of magic. Something that makes us unique, whether you call it a "soul" of a "self". We are more than the sum of our arts, and to pick one of these men to lead the country, we must discover that essence.

 Discussions of generalities will get us nowhere. Please try to raise the level of the discussion whenever you can, and tell your local news station that's what you want. Let's hear about the issues..there are certainly plenty of them!

 PS: The photo is my husband and me halfway to the North Pole, near Green Bay, Wicsonsin. It was taken on our 20th wedding anniversary. Happy days!

((Brian's Note: As you can see from her writing, Paula is also an amazingly thoughtful person. I trust her advice on whatever problem I may encounter. Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an e-mail by clicking here.)