I consider that I am, politically speaking, a conservative independent. I am a member of no political party nor have I ever contributed financially to any party beyond the $3 of my annual taxes that go towards presidential campaign finance. As a fiscal conservative I am not particularly pleased with President Bush's performance thus far. I cannot in good conscience vote for Kerry, though, so Bush will undoubtedly get my vote. There is more at stake in this country than just fiscal responsibility, and the Democratic party is on the wrong side of most issues from where I stand.

It has become increasingly difficult for me to vote for Democrats in recent years. I can vote for Democrats in local races where they will not be beholden to the national party heirarchy, but when it comes to national politics at the congressional and presidential level I find that I cannot. The reason is clear. The leadership of the Democratic party has drifted so far out in left field that they are beyond the pale. I fear that if I vote for a Democrat for congress or for president he will toe the party line rather than fully represent his contituents. When the pressure is on most politicians can't or won't alienate their party leadership.

I may not agree with everything espoused by the Republican leadership either, but I find their views to be less reprehensible on the whole than those of the Democrats. Sadly, I don't see much on the horizon in the way of presidential candidates in either party. We need another Ronald Reagan or John Kennedy, but I see only Gerald Fords in our immediate future. We need leaders who emphasize what's right about America while still striving to improve on its shortcomings.

The presidency is as much an inspirational and moral leadership position as it is a political office. We need some one who talks about how good this country is rather than one who emphasizes our problems. George W. Bush is better at this than John Kerry, but, sadly, he is no Ronald Reagan.