For over 150 years, grown-up Americans had voted for its President, either from the Republican or the Democratic party. But, no matter how acceptable the credibility of an Independent candidate is, that person never gets elected. Does anybody even remember the last President from the Whig party, who occupied the White House?

That being said, 2012 will probably go down in history in which (incumbent President) Obama is a sure thing for the Democrats, while several Republicans (who all want Obama ousted) are fighting amongst themselves, just to see who will be the main Presidential candidate for their party!

Of course, no matter what happens by Election Day in November, the President-elect (whether he/she is Republican or Democrat) will have a burden of 'blame' over the next four years.

Therefore, I'm hoping that an Independent Presidential candidate will win the election - just once in my lifetime - as a change-of-pace. Of course, I'm also expecting humans to land on Mars by then, too. So, I'm not going to hold my breath for that day when either event happens.

My latest "Front & Back" comic expresses this feeling. Oh, sure; I'm certain that a Republican or a Democrat will win (again) this Fall, but you never know...

(FOOTNOTE: In the past, I really did vote Independent on two Election Days - voting for H. Ross Perot in 1992 and Ralph Nader in 2000. My decision for 2012 will depend on who this year's Presidential candidates will be.)