Some might be scared off by one of the vice president candidates in this year's offering to us and have voted already, but let's look at all of them a little longer and as if we were not in their party. The campaigns have largely been directed to win applause from party members, either Democrat or Republican.

I recently received an e-mail addressing the Sen. Obama campaign position of distributing the wealth (economic justice?). I will paraphrase and at times quote from this letter written by someone (not locally) who spent 25 years of his life working extremely hard building several businesses providing employment for many people. Also the money generated caused a significant trickle-down effect on the local economy. But unfortunately, he also had to deal with those who would not show up on time to the job, or simply wouldn't work five days a week, only to end up in a government office looking for handouts.

Along with “Joe the plumber,” Obama would characterize this man as someone enjoying a life of privilege even after all his work, and try to take his hard-earned money from him to distribute to those who want government handouts (economic justice?).

I will quote, “In short, Mr. Obama, your political philosophies represent everything that is wrong with our country. You represent the culture of government dependence instead of self-reliance; penalization of the successful to reward the unmotivated; political correctness instead of open mindedness and open debate.”

This is far too important an election for me to have made up my mind yet. There are positions of each candidate and their mates that I like or not. But I will continue to look at each of them and if necessary I may have to decide the day I enter the voting booth. And by the way, Socialism scares the heck out of me.

Richard Hunter

Auburn