We're in a conundrum, people!

A Senior View

By Ed Lyons

(Updated: Friday, March 28, 2008, 4:22 PM)

Do you know what a conundrum is? It's something that baffles or perplexes.

Well, that's what we're facing now in the ongoing race for the presidency.

Let's look at it this way:

Suppose I were asked about voting for Obama. Could I guarantee that either a positive or negative reply did not give some consideration to race? How could I? In light of that, could I be classified as a racist? There are those who would think so.

To add to the perplexity of our situation, the same situation, the same question is posed regarding Mrs. Clinton ... would any answer make me a sexist?

Now there we have the conundrum.

It kind of makes one consider avoiding these issues by, simply, voting for John McCain. Doesn't it? Even if one doesn't think he's the right man for the job either.

OK. Let's pose the same question. As a retired military veteran, if I voted for McCain because he's ex-military too, would that make me a militarist?

Or would I think that since the military is, really, his only field of expertise, there's very little hope that he would lead our country away from it's current military misadventures.

For me, it's a time for rationalization.

My answer to it all is that of course there's a racial component involving Sen. Obama -- it's obvious -- it can't be avoided -- but the consideration of it does not make one a racist.

Neither am I a sexist in any evaluation in what Sen. Clinton is and what her platform stands for.

All of which means that the labeling of the voter is coming from those who would direct our vote by appealing to our collective consciences.

Grandpa sez: In a free country, we should be able to vote for whomever we please ... whether for good reasons or bad. So, let's have at it ... and may the best ... whatever, win.