Some thoughts: Being that we are in a war, National Defense has to be my number one priority because like it or not, the US economy coupled with our military are the stabilizing force in the world. A loss at this point will certainly cause several things:

1. A civil war in Iraq, with Iran the ultimate winner.
2. Slow or stop the flow of oil in the Middle East, crippling trade and the Western economies.
3. Slow or stop the flow of oil from Chavez and South America.
4. An emboldened radical Islam, where civil war in Europe or simply a growing radical Islamic movement will undermine Western stability. This could take a decade or two, but the unrest there is unmistakable, and Iran will sieze the opportunity if it succeeds in Iraq.
5. World economic collapse if the above happens. The US cannot survive without international trading partners.

If people think the economy is shaky now, which all the polls indicate, wait until it costs $2,000 for an airline ticket for $5 for a tomato at the grocery. It costs money for gas to ship that stuff.

These things considered, a vote for Romney is a vote for the Democrats because Romney cannot win independents in a general election, and therefore cannot win a general election. I support many of the Democratic initiatives, but Obama and Clinton will certainly lose the war in Iraq. That said, McCain can win moderates, and a general election.

I may have just painted myself as a nut, but today’s international struggles are just not as easy as the detente of the 80’s. I think most voters have forgotten that fact.