About 46 million Americans — 15 percent of the population — do not have health insurance, according to the latest U.S. Census data. Approximately $100 billion would be needed to provide them with coverage. Can we afford it? And where would the money come from?

We've begun to feel the pain of a recession in the real economy and that pain will get worse before it gets better. So far in 2008, job losses have averaged about 85,000 per month, but in September the number was 159,000.

In the last month, financial markets came as close to collapsing as they have since the Great Depression, and the root of their woes was frozen credit markets. The crisis sparked several weeks of furious and futile improvisation by U.S. regulators and lawmakers.

There's no doubt about it: Americans want choices. In education. In mail services. And in health care, too — even if the government is picking up the tab.

Forty-seven percent of registered voters say that health care is an extremely important consideration in their vote for president, according to a June CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll.

Candidates for public utility commissions are on ballots across the country this fall. Those who win seats will determine the regulations and rates that govern public utility companies. It's an important job.

Unemployment went up in August, and in the floundering real estate sector, qualified borrowers with prime loans who are having trouble making payments are beginning to slip into foreclosure. Consumer confidence improved a bit, but is still weak. Is this the bottom or are we still falling?

Although originally intended for campaign insiders, "It's the economy, Stupid" became an important slogan during Bill Clinton's first presidential run. That's not surprising.

The sunbathers on the windswept beaches of Nantucket this holiday weekend will have paid a premium price to boat or fly to the quaint and elite resort island 30 miles south of Cape Cod.

2008 will be remembered for the classic battles between Obama and Clinton and McCain and Obama, but political wonks will also note the historical nature of this presidential campaign because of the profound impact that the Internet and social media have had on the dynamics of the race.