As the campaign season starts it's normal ramp up for the "preliminaries" I was wondering what really matters the most to people?  Granted, elections are a year and a half away, so it's probably not on the minds of most people, but at this point, what do you consider to be the things that we need to focus on in government and of course, who would the best candidate be to fulfill those needs?

 

For me, the most pressing issues that a potential Presidential Candidate needs to address are as follows (in no particular order).

 

1.  National Security - What is going on in the world is an important aspect of what a potential candidate should address.  The problems in Afghanistan, Ukraine/Russia and the Middle East are "hotbed" issues for me.

 

2.  Immigration - The immigration issue needs to be addressed and something needs to be done.  I favor first and foremost securing our borders, then dealing with the illegals that are here.  I don't support something like the "Dream Act", yet something needs to be done.  I would immediately "write off" any candidate that would support the "round them all up and send them back" point of view.  I would also "write off" any candidate that allows illegals to get a path to "amnesty" that circumvents our current laws, and gives them any kind of advantage.

 

3.  Economy - The current state of the economy is in dire straits and has been for several years.  Despite what the current "employment numbers" might say, people are hurting right now.  Something needs to be done to turn this whole thing around.

 

4.  Taxation - This is an issue that always has been and always will be an issue.  Taxes are way to high in my opinion across the board.  Personal income tax, corporate tax, the "death tax" and capital gains taxes are way too high and the thought of raising them higher should be squashed.

 

5.  Health Care Reform (For Real) - I have nothing good to say and wholeheartedly disapprove of Obamacare.  This disaster needs to be repealed/replaced with something better.  In my mind, the main focus should be on Veterans and Seniors.

 

The "issues" that mean very little to me (and I say this solely for political reasons not personal reasons) are as follows.

 

1.  "Gay Rights" - I really could care less if two people want to enter a civil union and enjoy the tax benefits, insurance benefits, etc. of doing so.  If they want to call it "marriage" I really don't care.  While it might be an "issue" for some, it's not a pressing need that someone running for and attaining the position of President of The United States should put a lot of effort in.

 

2.  Abortion - While I personally don't agree with abortion, I don't think that people should be denied the option of doing something like that.  Where I disagree is when tax dollars are used to fund something like that.

 

3.  Keeping "prayer" out of anything, much less schools - Now on this issue, I'm not saying that "prayer" to any religion/god/entity should be "required".  All I'm saying is that I'm sick and tired of those on the left that attack certain symbols as being "offensive" as well as certain practices.  If you don't want to recite the words "under god" when reciting the pledge, you are certainly within your rights to do so, but don't push it as far as being what should be "required".  If a cross in the middle of the desert "offends" you, then don't look at it.

 

I'm approaching an age and time in my life where politics really matter.  Though my children are grown up and make their own decisions, I look at my grandson every day and wonder what kind of country I'm leaving for him.  What kind of opportunities/hardships and experiences will he deal with throughout his life?  What can I do to give him a better life than the one that I have had?

 

I look back at what my parents and grandparents did for me with much appreciation.  I look to the future, and I question myself and what me and my siblings have done as well as what lies ahead for not only my children and grandchildren, but my many nieces, nephews and their children.

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