We are in the midst of extraordinary times. I am writing this prior to the New Hampshire primary and you are reading it after it has finished. It has not been since 1928 that an election was so wide open with no incumbent or vice-president running and both the Republican and Democratic races in dead heats.

In addition we have both an African American and a women as leading candidates. If there is one thing that can be gathered from this it is that there is a clear and broad desire for change in both the course of where our country is going and the mechanisms by which we get there.

Change is a torch that has been lit by John Edwards and Barack Obama but has carried and shown bright for Mike Huckabee as well. In addition Ron Paul who has been felt to be a fringe candidate has intense and vibrant supporters and doing quite well. Also, John McCain is finding his old voice as the maverick.

The necessity of change is now being raised by both the Democrats and the Republicans. Experience is almost a ball and chain particularly when it is coupled with old boy lobbyist driven government. While there will be winners and losers and it is still too early to tell who that may be. The biggest hit seems to be to the old ways of blind party power and big money politics.

It is exciting, for people are genuinely for candidates rather than voting for the lesser of two evils. I was at two rallies over the weekend; one for Edwards and another for Obama. Crowds were huge, all ages, and young people are turning out as they have not in years. The old party machines are being challenged by honest populism rather than purchased popularity.

The issues are clearly defined and for once beliefs and vision are overcoming the old ways and winning. I do not know if it will hold out but I am certainly hopeful. Our country has been handed over to corporate control for decades and it has been taken to a tragic extreme during the Bush/Cheney years.

President Bush has been an unabashed puppet for corporate interests. The middle class has a net loss in its earning power and hurt by rising costs on every front. The prospects for our children are for the first time worse than for their parents. The dollar has dived. Recession is coming. We are losing ground to other nations, and in serious debt to China. Health care has not been dealt with nor has our illegal immigration. Our international standing went from an all time high after 911 to an all time low. Osama Bin Laden is still out there. Global Warming has been purposefully ignored and environmental interests have been undermined.

If you want to ask why, just follow the money and see who has made the big bucks and who lost it. Corporate power has held a grip on government and working Americans are squeezed. We do need a change and we need it badly and it is not just Democrats that are saying this, it is independents and Republicans as well.

With a close and energized election your voices are more critical than ever. Everyone no matter what party you are please, make it to your caucuses. The caucusing process is fun and exciting. The Democrats will be holding their Presidential Caucus at the Windham Friends Church from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10. Doors close at 3. Republicans will be holding their caucuses Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon at Windham Town Hall. Get there early!

If you wish to change party status it must be done — 15 days prior to the caucus at the Windham Town Hall with the town clerk. If you are un-enrolled and want to attend a caucus you can enroll at the caucus or at Town Hall. You can also vote by absentee ballot.

These are extraordinary times in our nations history. Change is coming. Be a part of it. It is your country, your right, and your responsibility. This is democracy at its best.

Michael Shaughnessy lives in Windham. Please share any thoughts, comments or

ideas you may have with him at michaeljshaughnessy@verizon.net.