Who to vote for? None of the above

I have always considered myself a conservative and a Republican. I have had these beliefs since I was in high school and started following politics. My belief in a free market economy, smaller government, less government involvement in people's personal lives, a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. It has become painfully obvious that there are no longer any true economic conservatives left in American politics, and that is very unfortunate.

Looking at what choices we have in the upcoming election it really makes me worry about where our country is headed in the next 4 years, and it doesn't matter which party gets the White House. The differences are decreasing by the year and they are truly beginning to look like more alike by the day. Our choices appear to be either Obama or Clinton on the Democrat side and John McCain on the Republican side. There is only one clear choice in this election...vote for a third party.

My problems with the candidates are many. On the Democratic side it is easy for me to say I will not vote for them. They are for big government, tax increases, ending the war in Iraq without any thought about the consequences, socialized health care, and dismantling the Constitution.

John McCain, however, has led to many a debate with various people I know. Some have told me he is in favor of common sense changes, I disagree. He is not a conservative. He may be pandering to conservatives, but his voting record portrays the real John McCain...a common liberal. Yes, he is not a liberal as Clinton or Obama, but he is not a Republican by any means. He has consistently took a stand on the wrong side of the issues. He touts his McCain-Feingold bill which infringes on people's first amendment rights of free speech and petition. People have the right to petition the government how they see fit, whether that be with a letter, email, or campaign contributions. He supports No Child Left Behind which sets outrageous goals for schools. 100 percent pass rate is unattainable and school choice would only lead to mass chaos in the school systems and the loss of more quality teachers. His immigration policy rewards those who have broken the laws of America by coming here illegally.

I must vote my conscience in this election. Those who preach the "lesser of two evils" mantra need to wake up and face reality. I am tired of voting for the one who isn't as bad as the others. I am not throwing my vote away, I am voting for who I believe to be the best candidate. More that likely that will be the Libertarian candidate or I will write in someone. I will not vote for John McCain just because he has a R beside his name, and I will not back down on my belief voting your conscience is better than voting for the "lesser of two evils". If more people voted their conscience we might actually elect a third party candidate.

It is time to change America, but the Democrats and the Republicans are not the people to do it.