As an American, I am always proud and excited to vote and to exercise my right to free speech.

In regard to the upcoming election, it is about the old against the new; a fresh look at what is the best of America and our standing in the world; a generational change of historic proportions.

The prominent Republican commentator Phyllis Schlafly says in a recent article, “Sarah Palin and the 2008 platform have given Republicans a new life, and put John McCain on the path to victory.”

What does that say about the Republican candidate, John McCain?

As for the Republican vice-presidential candidate, Palin, she “doesn’t blink,” is “wired” for the vice presidency and potential presidency, advocates an extension of the vice presidential power in the Senate, doesn’t doubt herself for a second, has not a trace of humility, wants Georgia and the Ukraine in NATO and entertains the possibility of war with Russia over that, has foreign policy experience and understands Russia because she can “see Russia” from Alaska, reportedly advocates the teaching of creationism alongside evolution, thinks the Iraq war is a “task from God,” and that building an Alaskan natural gas pipeline is “God’s plan.”

In short, which words comes to mind considering all of that?

It has to be the word made famous by Gen. Anthony McAuliffe at Bastogne: “Nuts!”

Klaus D. Kuck, Lewiston