I have heard from many that they intend to vote for McCain not because he has good ideas or because they see him as ideologically compatible, but, instead, they intend to vote for him because he "is the lesser of two evils." Some basic logic here would tell you that the lesser of two evils is still evil, so if you wish to vote for evil, have at it. For my part, I would never vote for evil.

Actually I disagree with the above construct in one fundamental way; I do not see either man as evil. Rather, I see both men as terribly wrong on the basic relationship between the government and its citizens. The difference is one of degree rather than one of kind. Both men see government as the solution to the problems that face America. Both are just plain wrong, and that fact that John McCain does not recognize his error is exactly the reason I could not vote for him. In other words, John McCain is not evil, he is ignorant.

I believe that Barack Obama does believe that government has a moral duty to care the least fortunate amongst us. I believe this because he has been very upfront and consistent about this belief. I believe that he is wrong. Government is the problem with what troubles this country. This is my belief. I believe his plan to raise taxes on the most productive of us is wrong, not because it will stall growth, but because no man is entitled to the benefit of my labor. Only I should recognize gain from the exertion. Should I wish to give to others less fortunate than myself, that is my business, but forcibly taking my money for the same reason is morally wrong.

Obviously, I disagree with Barack Obama about the very nature of the government's relationship with its citizenry. I have the exact same disagreement with John McCain. He also wishes to take money that I have earned through my own labor and give it to others. For him it is in the form of renegotiated mortgages or tax credits to purchase health insurance. Either way, he is no more entitled to my money than is Barack Obama. However, unlike Obama, who has been upfront about his redistributionist plans, McCain has tried to fool me (us) into believing that he is completely different from Obama. He is wrong, and his administration will use the same draconian collection techniques that Obama's will if you fail to pay into his redistributionist scheme. It matters not to me whether of them uses the techniques, the results are the same for me.

I do not believe that a 3% difference in the highest marginal rate is enough evil to allow me to vote for McCain as the lesser of two evils. As stated, evil is evil, and I choose not to vote for either. So, should I not vote or should I "throw my vote away" on another candidate. When one earnestly votes for another who may not have a realistic chance of winning, it is not thrown away, for elections are not bets placed in Las Vegas in the hopes of "winning." Rather, a vote is the expression of one's philosophy, ones most dearly held beliefs. Therefore, a vote is never thrown away so long as one votes one's heart. My heart says Chuck Baldwin is the man, and that is who I will vote for. Those who vote for either Obama or McCain as the lesser of two evils rather than as an expression of your core philosophy are the ones throwing your votes away. I am sorry for you.