Our previous elected officials in federal and state positions are drowning our governments in "Red Ink." Where is the leadership these elected officials are supposed to have? Trillion and billion dollar deficits are not acceptable to "we the people" who elected these public servants. Government should be stewards of our tax money revenue. The mentality of "tax and spend" has to change. The economic times we now live in have been created by many administrations, there is no room for the "blame game." "We the people" are responsible for electing candidates that do not have foresight and leadership skills. "We the people" must vote and elect responsible people to represent our views. Research each candidate listed in your states voter's pamphlet and listen to each candidate's views in the debates. America has lost its identity in political pandering. The buzz words during the 2008 election were, "are you better off now than four years ago." Try asking 23 million jobless American people. Then remember families that lost homes due to Mother Nature. Don't forget the families that lost their homes and life's work due to mortgage foreclosures. Texas Sen.r Ron Paul campaigned to get people to follow constitution guidelines. But guess what? Nobody listens anymore. A study completed by an panel of health experts on waste and fraud found $750 billion is what it costs the heath care system. That is bigger than the Pentagon military budget. Hands off Social Security and Medicare funds. Fraud and greed could destroy America. Vote by Nov. 6. Vote for responsible leadership to get us out of this financial mess and get America moving again.

Earl Erickson

Blaine