I love my country and our way of life. However, that which I love is falling apart and polarized. Our fiscal situation is no longer sustainable, yet Democrats state that all is getting better and Republicans state that all is getting worse.

Something is wrong, and both parties are to blame. It's hard to believe anything that anyone says, including the president!

We are out of money and over $16 trillion dollars in debt, and yet we haven't had a budget passed in nearly four years by those elected to create one. I'm sick of hearing "let the rich pay their fair share." They do already and if we took all of their money and applied it to the debt, it wouldn't make a dent.

Our unemployment is distressful, with no signs of improvement. People are suffering; more are losing their homes and living on food stamps. Small businesses are closing. Personal initiative is being squelched. Fear and uncertainty are invading the lives of the American people.

Moral decay is escalating daily and religious organizations are being attacked by our own government. Our nation has more natural resources than any other, so why is gas over $4 per gallon, and why are we still dependent on others for our supply? We have poured billions of dollars into countries that now attack us.

Is this what we want for the United States of America? Is this the best we can do?

Barack Obama has a four-year record to stand on. It reflects all that he and his administration are capable of doing. We took a chance on electing a likable but inexperienced person to lead our nation--a person who wants to "fundamentally change America" into another form of government that history has proven will fail!

Mitt Romney may not be exciting, but he has a track record of success in both the public and private sectors. Shouldn't we be willing to take a chance on an experienced leader who supports the vision of the Founding Fathers as set forth in The Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights? A person of unquestionable character who will preserve a capitalistic system that has produced the greatest nation ever?

On Nov. 6, I'm going to vote for America!

Tom Northam

Locust Grove