I'm NOT voting for McCain in the General

It is becoming more and more likely that McCain will be the Republican nominee at the convention. Despite my belief that McCain would hurt the country the least of all the front-runners from both sides, I refuse to vote for him.

What has happened to our party? What happened to the heady days of Newt and the Contract with America? It saddens me that conservatives let their standards drop. In 2000, we elected Dubya, a self-proclaimed "compassionate" conservative. Of course, we all now know that the phrase is a more PC way of saying he's a neo-con. Now we're seeing a TRUE conservative being shut out of debates because he dared to say NO to Bush's policies and Bush's war. We're seeing the REPUBLICANS rejecting a candidate who stands up for the Constitution, limited government, and sound fiscal policy! They're falling in line behind a moderate-at-best (outright liberal at worst) Republican who offers more of the same! Again, WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PARTY?

This election year reminds me in many ways of 1976. Ford won the nomination, but there was a force building behind another candidate, another guy named Ron. We all know what happened in '76, and what happened after four years of liberalism. Reagan brought about a new age of conservatism. I foresee the same thing happening now.

If the party nominates McCain, we've already lost. The party is dead. It will be a time of reflection and reorganization. It will provide us the opportunity to organize around a strong conservative leader and take back the party from the neo-cons (or, as I refer to them, the neo-liberals). Ron Paul is the only rational choice for such a leader to rally around.

I have no doubt that either Democratic front-runner will be a one-term president. We all know what's going to happen when the Dems have the presidency AND an override-proof Congress. I hate to say it, but we are going to have to endure four LONG years of worsening conditions to pave the way for a conservative revival.

I will not vote for McCain. I did not become a Republican to cheer them on to victory regardless of who they chose to nominate. I believe in limited government and individual liberty. My party used to believe in the same things, but they abandoned me. Until they rise up again as the party of conservative principles, I will continue to vote with conscience for the best candidate, regardless of aprty affiliation and/or nomination.

And so, friends, I am going to write in Ron Paul on my ballot, because there is no question in my mind that he is what this country needs to get itself back on track. He may not win, but I will take pride in the fact that I supported him all the way. And hopefully, it will send a message to the RNC that it must return to its conservative roots if it ever wants to be victorious again. If they STILL don't get it, then it's time for a new party. John McCain cannot turn this nation around from the direction it is heading. Ron Paul can.