Native Son- Thank you for at least being honest. I admire you for not only protecting my freedom but also for having the courage to go. I believe that my "why not go" point was made by your succint explanation. I for one am glad that you stayed. Thank you for your service sir.

Scaly- While it is not my first name on that wall in DC, it certainly is my last name. My family has also, like yours, paid the price of freedom in war. With that said, lets get back to my main points. Regardless of whose numbers you trust, the top wage earners in this country pay the overwhelming majority of the tax dollars. The two women running to face slade (non-caps intended) are both liberal socialists at heart and voting for them is a guarantee that all of us will take a step closer to the type of government you dutifully faught against. My attitude toward freedom, capitalism and America will not change and I am DA*N glad that people like you, native son and my father and uncle had the opportunity to kill commies. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. I will probably vote for slade only because there will be no better option for me. I respect your right to vote otherwise and would gladly take up arms to insure your opportunity to do so.

I am glad that you too decided to stay in the US after the war. This country is better off with capable soldiers at the ready.

PS- I have not only talked to but hired many VN vets and will continue to do so as long as they are willing and able to work for a living. As far as visiting a VA hospitals, my friends and relatives weren't lucky enough to get to the hospitals. I will continue to visit them at the cemetaries (including Arlington) of this great country sir.

Hammerhead- Well my friend, I could go on for hours proving to you that your ideas about the economy are completely wrong but I fear it would all fall on deaf ears. One must first have the courage to hear and believe the truth. I could just remind you that white males have over 150 years head start on women and minorities in the work force (in large numbers) and that women tend to be somewhat fluid in the workforce due to the occasional sojourn into motherhood.

Rather than attack me personally or raise points with no basis in reality you might try to cite for all our benefit any time in history when socialism has succeeded or when capitalism has failed. You might also try to disprove (with facts not rhetoric) any of the points I have made. While none of us like slade much, if at all, the platform upon which he runs is a step up from the alternative. If we could just get him to stick to that platform after he's elected we'd all be better off. Oh, to dream.

A final thought for all of us. Let us all vote our conscience and may the best man (person?) win. Until then....let's catch and release fish.