Editor, Gazette-Journal:

2012, NOT the most important election?

I have been watching presidential campaigns since 1952. At six years old, I was thrilled and hooked on the televised proceedings. I vividly recall the black and white speeches of Ike, Stevenson, Taft, Nixon, MacArthur and others. I enjoyed the bluster of state delegations casting their nominating votes and the flurry of people, balloons and confetti littering the convention floor.

After witnessing 15 silly seasons, a few comments about the process and results:

In all those years, no matter which candidate won, our fondest dreams were never fulfilled and our worst nightmares never blossomed. Over the last 60 years, it seems the dire predictions grow scarier every four years. The leaders of fringe political groups have convinced some of their followers to do very silly things.

Whether it’s the aimless crowds bent on occupying Wall Street or folks hoarding silver ...