I’m usually not one to talk politics.

I try to stay informed, and I have lots of opinions — among them the belief that it’s impolite to bring up political views at family gatherings or casual encounters, especially if you’re not sure everyone in the room will agree.

So I was surprised recently when I found myself engaged in a heated debate over the tax code with a Republican friend.

I suppose it was only a matter of time before I entered the fray. Concerns about the war and comments on the convention speeches have been popping up everywhere lately, from family dinners to play-date drop-offs. People are voicing their opinions more than ever, and those opinions seem to fall neatly along party lines.

The political pundits, meanwhile, are debating the issue of why people are debating the issues. In the book "Culture War? The Myth of a Polarized America", political science Professor Morris Fiorina, with co-authors Samuel Abrams and Jeremy Pope, argue that, contrary to popular belief, Americans are not deeply divided in their basic political views.

This may be true for the nation as a whole, but in my microcosm of the world, people are polarized. Almost all my friends and relatives are either loyal Democrats or staunch Republicans. In fact, where the upcoming presidential election is concerned, I only know one undecided voter.

Perhaps I’ve watched too much convention coverage, but it seems to me that in this presidential campaign, the parties and their platforms are more important than the candidates themselves. That’s not to say there’s no attention on the individuals, because of course there is – from the controversial Swift Boat Veterans ads to the "Re-defeat Bush" bumperstickers. However, there are people on both sides who are less than thrilled with their candidates. The Republican friend who got me all fired up admitted he doesn’t "like" Bush, but he would still never consider supporting Kerry. I also know Democrats who wish they had a stronger candidate but, based on the "anybody but Bush" factor, will happily vote for Kerry.

It’s a stark contrast from the first George Bush’s run for a second term. Bill Clinton’s triumph over Bush Sr. in 1992 had all the charisma and drama a brand-new reporter could hope for. There was an amazing energy among the local Democrats, an almost-palpable sense that things were about to change, and Clinton was the perfect man to lead the way.

This time, emotions are running high, and the stakes are even higher. Many view this election as a make-or-break opportunity where our image in the eyes of the world is concerned. And, more than ever before, Americans see the president as the man charged with keeping us safe.

Our next president may also have the chance to influence public policy for years to come. With at least one and possibly three Supreme Court justices likely to retire in the next four years, (Justice John Paul Stevens is 84, Justice William H. Rehnquist is almost 80 and Chief Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is 74) there’s a huge opportunity to shift the balance of the high court.

I’m glad people are taking an interest in the candidates and the issues, and I’m impressed by their passion — as long as it is coupled with tolerance for opinions that differ.

And wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the people voicing their opinions now also took the time to vote this November? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 60 percent of Americans who were eligible to vote in the 2000 presidential election actually did. If we learned anything last time, it’s that every vote counts.

Both parties seem to agree that spreading democracy throughout the world will help create peace and stability — even if they disagree on the best way to do it. A good first step would be for the American people to set an example by actively participating in the democratic process.

Lisa Miller is a freelance writer who lives in Oneonta. She can be reached at lisamiller44@hotmail.com.