Okay, I've got a challenge for the progressives and liberals on this board. I think the thing we can do the most to affect the upcoming elections is begin a campaign to write letters to the editor of our local newspapers. Here was my opening salvo to the "West Valley View", a small independent paper representing the west side of the Phoenix valley. Some of the names are for local politicians.

"First, let me state that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool independent and have both liberal and conservative viewpoints. Neither of the major parties turns me on completely. The Libertarians hold some promise, but have no chance of winning and sport some real wacko candidates from time to time.

This election, however, I will not cast a single vote for a Republican candidate and I urge all citizens to do the same. Normally voting a straight ticket would be a reprehensible act for me, but these are unique times.

We've seen in the last decade an unprecedented grab for power and ideology bullying by the Republicans. They deserve a huge slap in the face.

I was just an infant during the McCarthy era, but I imagine the national aura was similar to what we're immersed in these days. It took a courageous newsman to stand up to the insanity then and wake up the public and we saw the first spark the other day from Keith Olberman.

The Republican thugs in all levels of government need to be run out of town tarred and feathered. Our only tool to do this is to vote Democrat. If they blow their chance at making things better, there'll be an election every two years where we can balance things out again.

Please help me take my country back. Let's send Kyl, Franks, Blendu, Hayworth, Horne, and all the rest back home and let them know what it feels like when Americans have had enough. "

I'd love to see what others are writing in to publications as well. Please share your entries.

Art