I am an American-born Canadian whose extended family remains in the US. So I say this with much love as though I were speaking to one of them:

You (all) need to get a grip, Americans!

You treat your elections as if you are teenagers falling in love with rock stars. You look for the ideal person who reflects you, who will understand your every need and desire. You allow yourself to be seduced by their quick and easy lyrics, by the beat of their music, by the show at conventions.

This is not the way to run your country, voters.

You are getting the candidates you deserve and it is scary.

So. Stop pacing around your house in ignorance ranting. Stop reading blogs and watching television. Vote for whoever you want to vote for for whatever reason. And then sign up to volunteer in your community, donate to a food bank, take a class, or something good for yourself and those around you. Meet the Republicans/Democrats in your neighbourhood. Shake their hands. Learn that people are complicated, layered individuals.

Soccer moms can believe in gay rights. Gay people can believe in fewer government handouts.

Heck, create a third party. Give yourselves some room and some choices.

Lower the hysterical tone. Become adults. Thanks. We do love you. Good luck!

Give it five weeks. Barring a huge Obama/Biden gaffe or a huge unexpected event (the capture of Osama bin Laden, or something of that nature), she's going back to Alaska with her tail between her legs. Her own state party detests her; there's every chance she's going to face more investigation once the McCain camp is gone, and she'll be laughed off the stage if she ever tries to enter national politics again.

Once that happens, you won't have much reason to think about her, will you? Just chill out already.

A lot of people on the left have it. Something about a woman who hunts, makes babies, and wins elections seems to really uspet a lot of liberals. In my opinion she brings out the hypocrisy of the left. They speak of inclusion, but hate those twho go to church. They preach feminism, but hate female accomplishment unless it's accompanied by the property leftist ideology.

And abortion. That's the key. The pro-choice left simply cannot introspect on this issue. Obama actually spoke a deep truth when he said the question of when life begins is "above my pay grade." Truly none of us know when life begins. The left must begin to come to terms with this, eventually.

None of this should be construed as support for Palin. Clearly she has no second act; her fifteen miutes are up; and she appears dumb as a post.

But none of that explains the left's Palin Derangement Syndrome. The visceral reaction of the write says much more about her own hypocrisy, intolerance, and insecurity than it does about Palin herself.

I'm still processing everything you said in this letter, but I just wanted to say a huge thank you for publishing this. I am also grappling with the "Hatred" ruining my otherwise easy-going personality and classifying her as an ESFJ was just what this INTP needed to confirm how utterly alien she seems to me.
Please oh please everyone motivate: call everyone you know and make sure they haven't given up on voting in this election. I can't take another 4 years of authoritarian rule in this fashion.

with politicans is something we Canadians have managed not to do (since the charming but disastrous Pierre) - Dion? Harper? Layton? May? Pleeeeze. So we have to look to other things, however much it may make our poor heads hurt, like policies and such. And, of course, we don't have the terror and responsibility (that many Americans, obsessed with gays and abortions and other close-to-home matters, seem to be oblivious about) of electing the most powerful person in the world...

But any glimmer of consciousness must surely result in RAGE at this Palin person that has been foisted upon the voters...

It's tempting to become obsessed with Palin (or Obama,or McCain -ok, maybe not McCain -, or any one). But please. It really is possible to not. talk. about. Palin.

Today I was at a family event when someone said "I'm a McCain girl" and even though I was dying inside, needing to say "But, you terminated a pregnancy, and a McCain presidency would criminalize the toughest,most wrenching personal decision you ever made," or "Well, I hope your family stays healthy, because you're health insurance is about to become a taxable good," or "Even after last week's dementia in five acts followed by a mediocre debate performance where he could rattle off names of 70's and 80's dictators but couldn't pronounce the current nominal head of Iran?" or even "You're voting for WHO???!!! Are you a complete moron?"

I didn't.

I just smiled and changed the subject. And I did not die.

As far as Sarah Palin goes, there is *so* *much* to critique her on her policies,stance on issues, track record in government, her petty vindictiveness towards colleagues and underlings and rivals alike, and her failure to present a credible candidacy in any objective interview, why would you even bother discussing the surface details or the personal life?

It's totally ok to be outspoken against Palin (or whoever you're passionately against). I think Americans are far too squeamish about politics. Some people will get annoyed. Consider it your job to annoy them.

But don't undercut your argument by becoming Tucker Carlson.

And, ask yourself this: "If instead of Sarah Palin, I was discussing at this length and volume about my kids, my husband, my lack of husband, my job, my coworker, or my weight, would my friends be this annoyed?" If the answer is "Yes", then you need to stop. Tell everyone you've made a pact not to discuss her anymore, and they must help you quit.

And remember, with any luck, very soon after Nov. 4th, she'll be "Sarah who?" and we all can get on with our lives,looking forward to an Obama administration.