It’s our duty to partake in our caucuses

Duty calls you to participate in what may be the most important political gathering of your life - the Iowa Republican Caucus.

On Jan. 3, those of us who gather to select Iowa's presidential nominee will exert influence far out of proportion to our numbers. The top two or three candidates selected will go on to be tested in later contests and the losers will likely drop out of the race. We have a tremendous opportunity to influence the future of our country.

What is wrong with our country? Of the many problems that lurk, one trumps all others - our economy. Huge national debt, out-of-control spending, borrowing 40 cents of every dollar spent, futile war-making, high joblessness, repressive regulations that drive businesses out of business or overseas and the silent thief: inflation.

While previous administrations bumbled along pursuing policies that gave rise to the maladies listed above, the current administration has pursued those ignoble goals with ferocity. Their degrading efforts were due either to ineptitude or treasonous if they knowingly acted to bring about the dire future that awaits us. Either way, they must be deposed for they have brought our country to the brink of ruin.

Which brings us back to the caucuses. We Iowans must declare as winner the one candidate, Ron Paul, who promises specific, logical solutions to our country's economic problems. All else is of little consequence. The nation will be watching and hopefully, follow our lead.

Willard Salemink

West Branch