I have never been much on politics. I've never been the one to get all riled up over a heated debate between the Democratic and Republic parties, but I do have to say that I am proud to have a chance to voice my opinion at the polls. In a nation such as ours, citizens should feel it is their duty as not only an American citizen, but as their duty as a parent, teacher and otherwise productive human being to go to the polls and make their choice as to who would be the best candidate to run our government.

Just the other day, I had a very enlightening conservation with a Florala citizen on the attributes and such of the candidates for some of the local elections, namely sheriff, governor and senator races. I have to say I was very impressed with her knowledge of local happenings, especially since she only recently moved here about a year or so ago, I believe. I think that if most voters were as knowledgeable about what was happening in their home place as she was, there would be a lot less bickering and snide comments about how the local/state/national government is handling the situations in the world today. I really don't know all that much about politics, but I do have a few simple rules.

Do not preach to me why your candidate is better than mine. You have your opinion. I have mine. I will be more than willing to listen to your point of view, but do not lecture me. Who knows, you might actually change my mind if you go about it the right way.

Do not come at me with religion when discussing politics. Do not show me your family saying grace at dinner. Do not show me a shot of you coming out of church on Sunday. I don't care what religion you happen to practice. There is not one quality that would make a Presbyterian, Catholic, Baptist or Methodist person a better government official than any person of another religion. Religion has no business in politics. Haven't you heard of the separation between church and state? People have fought wars over it. It would do you good to remember that.

Do not corner me 30-or-so feet between the polls and the area you can still politic in. If I wasn't going to vote foryou before, I'm sure not going to change my mind between the car and the voting booth.

I know that my rules may seem kind of odd, but their mine, and they're what I use to help me determine who would best represent my political views and opinions. They might not work for you, but they're pretty good for me.