A letter from John Reisman, founder of the Centrist Party:

As founder of the Centrist Party, I can only speak for myself as an
individual. Maybe this is representative of the Centrist point of view
for some, but certainly not all. I don’t know how much it matters, but I
wanted to share why I am voting for Barack Obama.

I am a traditional conservative. In my case, that means conserve as much
as possible, don’t waste. These days, that sounds like the description
of a democrat. I don’t believe in entitlement programs for the rich, or
the poor. I believe that if we don’t earn our money, we don’t own our
money. And if we don’t own it, it is likely we won’t respect it.
Ultimately, if you can’t respect something, you might waste it.

Our current economic maelstrom is partly due to entitlements given to
corporations and leaders that have bathed in those entitlements
(including politicians that relied on corporate campaign money). There
are deeper problems, but let us primarily realize that the integrity
levels of many CEO’s (not all) are far beneath the principles many claim
to stand for.

The partnership between politicians and corporate America has led to a
society that values consumerism so highly, that we have forgotten where
true values really exist; in our ability to live honorably and foster
the values of community and family.

Some proclaim ‘free market’, which is silly (because we are in a
federally regulated market based on Keynesian economics, ‘free market’
is not even possible in this system). Corporations and pundits say they
don’t want government in business. But as soon as they get in trouble,
they ask the government for handouts (700 billion anyone; How do you
spell inflation?). From Bill stacking to pork barrel projects our
government is struggling under its inability to cut the fat out of the
budget and get responsible.

Those very same corporations are wasting our resources to maintain what
they say is a higher standard of living, yet they don’t realize that
quality of life will suffer due to their actions. Corporations promote
‘that standard’ to uphold their profits at ‘our’ expense.

What is really valuable? Security, health, friends, family, and in my
view, above all, honor.

I was fairly evenly split between McCain and Obama for quite some time.
I like McCain because he has a strong record of working across the
aisle. I liked Obama, because he was able to be serious and discuss
unpopular issues that America needs to deal with. So what helped me make
up my mind?

I feel that Barack Obama has a better sense of the economic problems,
his policy ideas for performance based education are sound, and his
willingness to be strong in how he will approach problems; and his
open-mindedness in evaluating them, in a rapidly changing world. On the
environment, I think both are evenly aware of the critical issue of
Global Warming. Healthcare is difficult because it is becoming
increasing impossible to afford. I hope our next president will come up
with a health plan, rather than a healthcare plan.

Generally they are good candidates for president. The reason I began
leaning toward Barack Obama is the tone of his responses and his
campaign. I believe it upheld the tradition of honor better than the
McCain campaign. But my tipping point occurred after a careful
examination of the two vice presidential picks. In that, Sarah Palin
stood out; watching interviews, getting a sense of her ability beyond
the talking points she had been briefed on, it became clear that she
does not have the experience required.

I believe the risk is far too high. With all due respect to Senator
McCain and his exceptional record, America cannot afford an
inexperienced person in the White House, in the event of the Presidents
demise. With all due respect to Governor Palin, she has no foreign
policy experience, she has very little understanding of the serious
challenges Global Warming will put on our economy; and her energy policy
is drill, drill, drill, above all other considerations.

We need a pragmatic Centrist in the White House. For these reasons and
others, I am voting for Barack Obama. Centrists right and left should
carefully consider the short and long term; think outside the box of
right/left. Then cast your vote for the most reasonable presidential
ticket. It’s not an easy choice, but it may be the most important choice
in our lifetime considering all that is on the table at this point in
history.

Very respectfully,
John P. Reisman

The Centrist Party
Author: John P. Reisman
Box 130689, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Web: www.uscentrist.org