Every single voter has one issue that stands out the most in their minds. Should abortion be outlawed? Should taxes be cut? Is the Iraq War justified? Will my health care be affordable? Should social security be cut? And on and on and on...

A single issue should not be the deciding factor when voting for someone.

I can't imagine any person voting for President Bush solely because he decided to remove Saddam Hussein.

And I can't imagine any person voting for Senator Kerry solely because he is against the death penalty.

Most people think the only reason I vote Republican is simply because my taxes will be lower.

Actually, I vote Republican because I believe in smaller government, personal responsibility, lower taxes, the death penalty, a strong national defense, and finally, strong leadership.

There was a great episode of The West Wing when a gay Congressman was asked why he was a Republican. He responded with, "Because not everything in my life has to be about me being gay."

Those who vote based on a single issue are not giving enough effort to fully understand who they want to lead our country.

I would have voted for President Bush even if he decided to roll back his own tax cut because I still think he was the best candidate for a tough job.

If there were an overriding single issue, it should have been Iraq.

But I wouldn't be surprised if the most prevalent "single issue" vote for John Kerry was simply a hatred of George Bush.

In the future, voters should conduct research into each candidate and make their decision based on whom they honestly believe will be the most reliable and constant on a variety of issues the voter considers important, not draw a line in the sand on one single utterance or belief.

Democracy demands competent voters, not shrill voices and lockstep behavior.



Arriving in Davis County from the Midwest, Ernst is employed in the technology sector-and prefers to be surrounded by Republicans.