Even before I was able to vote, I understood the responsibility and looked forward to making sure that my vote counted.  Since I'm not that old, I have only participated in a handful of elections but I have felt as if I was doing my job as a American to choose the best candidate.  I have voted for both parties regardless of affiliation because I researched each candidate thoroughly and found those who I felt would do the best job.  I would have never thought of not casting a vote because not doing so would be unamerican.  But that's just what I may do. 

I am feeling betrayed by the Republican party.  Party leaders to some extent but I'm feeling most betrayed by those who are claiming to have voted for John McCain in the primaries thus far.  Of all the candidates on the republican side of the ticket to choose from, he's the one I would not vote for under any circumstances.  I'd go for Ron Paul over McCain any day and I think he's kooky.  When I look at the field of candidates running as a whole to become our next President, I want someone who is at the very least honest, principled, a leader, and will stand up for his position even when it seems the world is against him but is willing to change based on facts.  I don't see that in Senator McCain. 

He runs to the other side of the political isle as soon as he sees fit (remember when he was thought to be switching parties...that was no coincidence), he's openly lied about his stance on illegal immigration, he's more angry than optimistic, and now he's lying about his opponents to make himself look more conservative.  I expect these tactics out of the Clintons but not from my own party.  A few months ago, John McCain was on with a local talk show host and he was discussing his campaign and the topic switched to illegal immigration.  The link will play his interview so that you can judge for youself.  Just before the South Carolina primary, he stance changed from one of amnesty to one of being tough on the border and anti-illegal immigration thanks to a slew of campaign ads.  All of us here in Charlotte thougth the McCain ads were a parody because it was a complete 180. 

I'm not a one issue guy.  I'm very concerned with the economy.  Listening to the state of the union the other night, I loved that President Bush acklowledged that taxes are too high and that not voting to make the tax cuts permanent is a tax increase.  You also have to love that he said that the government will take donations in the form of checks and money orders.  BRILLIANT!  I am one of those guys.  As a small business owner and soon to be father, I'm perplexed how anyone would think that raising mine or anyone's taxes are good for anyone.  If you want me to stimulate the economy, keep taxes low so I won't be paying on my student loans when my son is entering college.  John McCain voted against the tax cuts, but that's ok.  If I were spending your money, I guess I would fight as hard as I could to spend a much money that's not mine as possible too. 

Super Tuesday should be interesting.  The news stations have been running free McCain ads for months, even when he was barely on the radar and being beaten by everyone.  But as for me, it will be the biggest factor of this upcoming election.  If it looks as if Romney, Ron Paul, or even Huckabee doesn't emerge as a front runner, I would just as soon switch parties and vote Democrat or third party.  After all, lets not kid ourselves, McCain can't win.  He may be a media darling for his turncoat style but conservates won't vote for him and given the choice of an entheusiastic young Obama vs an negative old McCain with 25 years in Washington, it will be the largest landslide in history. 

I've never understood the need for a third party.  My voice has always been heard to some extent...until now.