throwing an idea out into the universe ...

I still think an American Idol-style election would be fantastic, but in the meantime, here's an idea that might be easier to implement:

My dad and I rarely vote for the same candidates, but I totally respect the way he decides whom to vote for: He votes his pocketbook -- and he encourages other people in his life to vote *their* pocketbook, even when that means voting for a different candidate.

He's never put it in so many words, but I believe his philosophy is that if every eligible American voted, and if we all (accurately) voted our pocketbook, the winner would therefore be the candidate whose platform offers economic benefit to the greatest number of voters.

I realize there are a whole lot of other factors to consider when voting, but I can think of a heck of a lot *worse* ways to elect a president.

So here's my idea: Before the 2008 election, some number cruncher somewhere needs to create a web site called VoteYourPocketbook.com. Voters could go to that site and enter their ZIP code and annual household income, and it would tell them which candidate's platform would most likely be to their economic benefit.