Tamar,

>I agree that it's well-written. I also found a sort of elitism in the first section that bothered me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Her point seems to be something like this: "If you do not take the time to study the issues and try to make a thoughtful decision, then please exercise your right to NOT vote. Those of us who do take the voting responsibility more seriously will thank you for being honest and modest enough to withhold your uninformed vote."

I can see where that sounds elitist, but it's also a good point. I've heard someone say recently that there should be a simple test required before entering the voting booth to see if the potential voter can at least name a candidate on the ballot. That will never happen, but still I cringe at the capricious way some people go about making their choices.

>The last part, where she talks about what it feels like to vote, did hit home. I'm one of those people who has never missed an election since I was old enough to vote. This year, I'm at GLGDW and had to vote absentee and I really miss going to the polls.

What an experience! I took my son into the booth with me, after waiting in line for an hour and 15 minutes. It was the heaviest turnout anyone in my precinct had ever seen. People were almost giddy over the opportunity to help direct our nation's future -- there was much excited talk about it in the line.

>One other point. It should be noted that Noonan was one of Reagan's speechwriters.

Did she do the famous "Morning in America" speech and/or advertisement? I've heard about it for years, but have never seen or read it.