We are about two weeks away from one of the most important commemorations of democracy in the Western World.

I am speaking, of course, about Guy Fawkes Night; when we all gather around a bonfire, get really drunk, and remember Fawkes' failed 1605 plot to blow up King James I and the British Parliament.

Oh, there's also a U.S. presidential election. Unless you have recently been transported into the year 2004 after accidentally stepping into a time portal while being chased by a cave bear, you may have heard about it.

Last time around, we in the Global Media Conspiracy took a lot of flack for calling the result of the election early. We're really sorry about that, and promise we won't do it again. Although -- just between you and me -- according to our polling data, David Cobb is going to win in a shock landslide.

One thing we've heard a lot is the undecided voters upon whom this election will likely hinge. What is wrong with these people? We're two weeks away! How can these people not have made up their minds?!

You've got strawberry ice cream, and you've got mint ice cream. You can have one but not both, they have uniquely different flavors, which one would you like? Come on, it's not that hard -- just choose the one that most agrees with your tastes. Come on, make a decision. Come on, now. OH, FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, PICK ONE!!

I haven't actually met any of these undecided voters. I assume that they never get out of the house because they are crippled by indecision over which socks to wear. So, the odds are if you are reading this, you know who you support.

Hopefully, you will vote for the right guy.

I was living in California during the 2000 election. My friend Jim and I went to vote together. As we were walking toward the polling station, we overheard the conversation of two men who had just finished voting. These men looked to be members of the World War II generation.

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"Well, you vote for the right guy?" asked the first one.
"I think so," the second one said. "I certainly hope so."
"Good," said the first.

Jim observed that neither of them seemed inclined to name the person they had voted for. As we thought about it, we realized that we couldn't think of many people of that generation who seemed particularly eager to wear buttons and T-shirts and bumper stickers declaring their chosen candidate. They voted for "the right guy," and that was enough.

I've mentioned this before -- there's something to be said for keeping one's political views a little closer to the chest than so many of us are wont to do these days. On Nov. 3, your next-door neighbor who voted differently than you will still be your next door neighbor.

But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be thinking about the person for whom you are going to vote. And it most certainly doesn't mean you shouldn't vote. America without voters is a car without a steering column.

I know which direction in which I would like to see the country head. And I hope that the person for whom I cast my vote on Nov. 2 is the right guy to take us there. I hope that you will vote for the right guy, too -- even though your guy may not be mine. Regardless of the person who eventually gets the driver's seat, I believe that we will go in the right direction if we are all taking part.

By the way, if you are still undecided on Nov. 2, the right guy for you is Mr. Magoo.

Chris Cope is married, with no children. His column appears every other Tuesday.