Which Way to Go?

By Al Horn

The crowd comes to a silence as the man approaches the podium. He is a man in his late forties. He is of average height with graying hair and beard. He places his hands on each side of the podium and takes stock of the crowd. A troubled look is on his face.

"Go ahead," a woman on the first row, says. "We're all behind you."

The man smiles at the kind words. Where his demeanor had been troubled it was now wistful. "My name is Al Horn and I'm... I'm an undecided."

The crowd quietly applauds. This buoys the speaker. "Like many of you, I have tried to look at all the races with as much objectivity as possible. I read all the articles in the paper. I visited the websites in hope of finding a platform I can clearly identify with. I have even attended events to talk to candidates and party officials. And like many of you it seems the more I discover the less I'm sure as to which way to go."

"The two party platforms I have poured over are clear yet, I find that some of the issues I can relate to in a positive manner while others make me want to turn away. Each one has ideas that would make this a better country. For the most part I agree with the issues in which the two parties share a common view. It's the differences that are tearing me apart."

"Amen, brother," is shouted from the back of the room.

"One party holds closely to religious values," continued the speaker. "They use the Biblical context of our great constitution as the cornerstone of their platform. As a church going man I can identify with those values. They tell me to stand with my neighbor and be counted. At the same time, they preach to turn away from those most in need. They are quick to say what is ours is ours and only those invited to the table may share with us."

"The other party espouses personal liberties. They say that as long as you are doing no harm to others you should not be persecuted for what you chose to do. To be honest, there are times I get tired of every other politician telling me what to do."

"The other two parties running on the Missouri ballot? Their platforms are confusing and seem to change with the direction of the wind. What is a solid citizen to do?"

"I want my vote to count in this election. I hope that by November 2nd I can rally around one of these two parties and hope I have made the right decision. I would appreciate any help. Surely one of these parties will deliver us from the times we find ourselves. Who will it be? The Libertarians or the Constitution Party?"