With an election process for president barely decided, it would be easy to say that "gridlock" will be the order of the day for next year. I doubt that very much. There are several areas where the next president and the Congress will be forced to act - beyond campaign finance reform, gun control, and a new up-to-date system to register the votes of our citizens. Here are my thoughts on some of them.

Both George W. Bush and Al Gore called for a change in the "death tax." And I believe there will be a raising of the exemptions for all families - an effort to preserve family farms, small family businesses and protecting those who want to pass on their savings to children and grandchildren.

Another area which will be certain to receive attention is Social Security. Beyond campaign rhetoric, the system is safe until, at least, 2037. To preserve it beyond that time frame, will require some modifications, including the ability for working people to set aside some of their tax dollars in a private individual retirement account.

Prescription drugs will also receive attention in the Congress. When all is said and done, I believe you will see an insurance plan made available to seniors below a certain income or asset level.

Both candidates addressed education, and that topic will receive a great deal of attention in the next Congress. Whether vouchers, more teachers or more federal involvement at the local level becomes the approach, there will be an effort to deal with students who are left behind.

Partial birth abortion is certain to be an issue which will receive more than a passing look next year. The outcome is less certain.

International affairs will also come to the forefront. The Middle East will remain a tinder box with terrorism probably taking on new dimensions.

Colombia will create new uncertainties. With the Congress approving over $1.3 billion in aid, Colombia will have new tools to fight drugs - and the guerrillas who occupy about 40 percent of the countryside. Stationing US military advisors in Colombia could prove to be a mistake. Let us hope that this effort will not mean the return of more body bags to grieving relatives in this country.

Beyond Colombia and the Middle East, I doubt that we will see the commitment of the US military in places like Haiti, the Balkans and Somalia. The use of our military forces overseas will become much more selective.

Finally, there will have to be a greater focus on North-South trade in our own hemisphere. Canada and Latin America are far ahead of us in opening doors to free trade. The politics will be fierce as unions try to prevent the inevitable. The globalization of trade will continue. The only question is whether we can afford to delay reality.