This is a very strange election. After all, when is the last election you can remember in which the Republican candidates voted for the Democratic incumbents? But that's what is happening this year.

Let me tell you how I know. When candidate Romney made his infamous 47 percent comments, everyone focused, understandably, on the apparent contempt he had for tens of millions of Americans. What struck me, though, was how he sure he was that this 47 percent was committed to voting for the President - and that both Romney and Ryan are part of that 47 percent.

After all, Romney's father was on public assistance when he first came to this country. Ryan used his father's Social Security benefits to pay for college. Those are exactly the sort of assistance Romney condemned, and he was sure these would equate to voting for the President. Therefore, Romney and Ryan will be voting Democrat.

It has to be the case. Well, I guess there are other options. Romney could be inconsistent. Romney could be dishonest. But I'd hate to suggest either one of those conclusions of a man running for the highest office in the land. Therefore, there is only one logical conclusion: Romney and Ryan will be voting Democrat.

I thank candidate Romney for this striking honesty.

Greg Beatty

Bellingham