Not the kind of change we need

Change seems to be the driving point in this election. Senator Barack Obama said, "With the help of the Clintons, we're going to bring unity to the Democratic party, and that's how we're going to bring about unity in America."

To me, the senator's idea of solidifying the Democratic party in order to overcome the leverage and power of the Republican party, is not my idea of change. For way too long, we've had the left and the right on both sides of the aisle debating over issues of great importance and very seldom resolving any of them. It's time to set aside party pride, Democrat or Republican, and start to lean more toward the center, where we the people have been for a long time.

Now, we are faced with rising gasoline prices and a bunch of rhetoric about what should be done. Talking is not going to do anything. Drilling is the best alternative we have. Alternative fuels and nuclear energy are admirable, but won't happen in this decade. Hybrid or electric cars mean replacing what we now drive with more expensive vehicles that many won't be able to afford.

We also live in one of the greatest countries in the world, where anyone from any part of the world could immigrate. Yet many of these immigrants are entering the country illegally and refuse to abide by our laws. Because of this, many cities are facing high levels of unemployment, welfare levels, and health care costs. Public officials are afraid to do anything about it for fear they will lose the Hispanic vote.

Another election issue is the war in Iraq. It seems that the Democratic party believes we should withdraw our troops from Iraq. This would be a grave mistake, especially when Iran seems to be our biggest and most dangerous threat to this day. If things heat up in the Middle East with Iran, and we have already pulled out of Iraq, it would cost a lot more money to redeploy troops back into the area. At this time it appears that the surge has helped, and Iraq is stable. Our troops are doing a fine job, and by fighting the terrorists on their own homeland they have diminished the likelihood of them doing harm here at home.

My main point is that we need to get our government officials on the same page. Maybe someday, there won't be a left and a right, but Democrats and Republicans sitting side by side, and doing what we, the people, want.

Gary Meyer

Pingree Grove