I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Republican Party booth at the Tioga Fair recently. Many who stopped by were engaged, informed and eager to express their feelings come this November. Sadly, many others were simply uninterested in the political process, which has such a far-reaching impact on their lives. Comments such as "I don't vote because I don't really care about politics" and "It doesn't matter what I do, they all do the same thing once in office" were not uncommon.
I find it disheartening to think that some people today will simply blithely go along believing that they are either unaffected by, or powerless to change the government which affects every aspect of life in America.
It is cliche, but I truly believe that the election of 2012 is one of the most important we will ever face. Two very different paths toward the future are presented by the President and Governor Romney.
On the one hand, we have the current administration which believes that the government is the "great protector", recklessly spending trillions of taxpayer dollars, taking from those whose hard work and ambition have allowed them to reap the fruits of their labors, and passing that on to those who are sometimes unable, but more often are unwilling to help themselves.
On the other hand we have the team of Romney-Ryan, who believe in limiting what the government can and will do, reigning in rampant government spending and regulation. An administration which has demanded we provide the care which it feels that we need at our own expense, or face penalty, or the Romney-Ryan ticket which wants to allow us the freedom to choose what we feel is in our own best interest.
An administration which continuously stifles the use of fossil fuels (the most economical and abundant energy source available today), either by outright bans (the Keystone pipeline comes to mind) or would impose an onerous tax, which would be borne by every American (Cap and Trade).
This election comes down to two very different options either we allow the administration to continue to tell us we must all shoulder our responsibility for some utopian "Greater Good", or Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan who believe in allowing the individual the freedom to work to his potential, retain the rewards of his or her efforts and the freedom to choose what is in the best interest for him or her and their family.
Either we make our voices heard, or subject ourselves to the tyranny of those who do.
Donald E. Hoffman, Jr.
Millerton
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
