Regardless of how you feel about Paul Ryan, or about Romney and Obama, for that matter, there is one thing that really cannot be denied. America has a choice. Unlike most of its recent history, we are not being asked to chose between two slightly different visions of the same future, two minor variants of the same philosophy, a phony distinctinction between vaguely differing alternatives.

More than ever before, this coming presidential election will allow the American people to select the kind of government and nation they want to live in. That in itself, is a triumph of the American political system, you may not like what we wind up with, it may prove to be a disaster for everyone concerned, but it will indeed be the will of the people. Regardless of the result, this election will indeed translate that will into policy and law. It will be the crowning jewel of American Democracy–regardless of who wins.

I say this not because I am optimistic about the future. On the contrary, I fear that regardless of who wins, this may be our last free election. The new politics of unlimited, anonymous campaign contributions and media blitzes, coupled with the ideological polarization of the electorate, bodes ill for our future. Elections will simply be the visible manifestation of otherwise hidden interests and factions: power struggles in the oligarchy.

But this time, at least, America will get the government it deserves.