Nation needs serious leadership at the top

I consider myself any average guy in his mid-50s, a Midwesterner with a good job and great family.

I vote in elections. I'm not a Republican and I am not a Democrat. I've voted both and once for an Independent.

At this point in my life, I feel compelled to put words on paper expressing how dissatisfied, disappointed and disillusioned I have become by the lack of political leadership in the White House.

I have become displeased at what the United States has become -- weak, ineffective and, at times, seemingly irrelevant in world matters. I feel Mr. Bush has failed us in being a leader.

We are mired in a war that seems to have no way of concluding without failure. We don't seem to have allies who support us.

Why is that? Why can't we form alliances that protect our interests and maintain our position as the global leader?

What is our national agenda? It seems to be all about fighting terrorism. While keeping us secure is important, there seem to be other things are eroding the foundations of our country.

What is being done about illegal immigration? Social Security? Dependency on foreign oil? How are you making us more energy self-sufficient?

What has happened to our currency? The dollar has weakened to the point that United States holdings can be purchased by foreign interests and taken out of our control.

What is our policy for protecting our businesses? Protecting our economy? How are we addressing the mammoth national debt the Bush presidency has accumulated?

What are we doing to make the federal government efficient and effective? We can't keep illegal people out of our country. We can't keep dangerous consumer products out of our country. I don't know what the agenda is to address these problems.

I am not feeling good about what my children and grand children are going to be facing in the future.

I think the United States has started down a slippery slope that will take bold and forceful leadership to get us back to being the global leader that is strong enough to protect our interests abroad and our shores at home.

I am looking for strong leadership in the White House.

I can't wait until the presidential election. This county needs help.

R. Green

Geneva