And more about voting...

The San Jose Mercury News had an article on August 27 about single women not voting. There is an organization called "Women's Voices. Women Vote." You can read about this group at http://www.voterparticipation.org/.

Their research showed that 22 million women did not vote in the last presidential election.

I saw another article that said only 28% of women between ages 18-24 voted.

My mother knew the issues and was deeply patriotic, knowing that one of our precious freedoms was the right to vote, and that it comes with the obligation to be informed. She would get up early, drive through any kind of weather in order to go out and vote, and she was a great inspiration to me.

There is a website, http://www.vote-smart.org/. This is a non-partisan citizen's group devoted to printing the facts: "biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances and interest group ratings."

Don't make your decision based on who looks like he'd be fun to hang out with. Don't base it on the best recipe submitted to a magazine, allegedly by the candidate's spouse.

Look at the facts and vote for the person you feel will lead us in the best direction.

Whatever your leanings, and I'm not inviting political discussion, get informed, be involved, GO VOTE. If you're too busy to take time during the day, you can vote in advance and mail it in. This is called an Absentee Ballot. Don't be silent - our country needs our brainpower!

America needs us - I mean all of us, men and women, all eligible ages, races, beliefs, religions. Our thoughtful voices can make a difference.