He promised to unite us – We do not live in the red states or blue states, he said, we live in the United States.

You've got a facebook Request! CLICK HERE!

He promised to give us hope in one another and in the tarnished principles of liberty and justice for all.

He promised to conduct a “Manhattan-style-project” similar to the effort that developed the atomic bomb in a matter of months, to find alternative sources of fuel and combat high energy prices and the consequences -- the greatest transfer of wealth in history from the U.S. to oil producing countries.

He promised he would cut through the red tape of the No Child Left Behind act so teachers could concentrate on teaching instead of ever-shifting standards and assessments.

All of that was food for the souls of hungry people in a troubled nation.

None of it has happened.

Just months after his election, he signed the infamous “stimulus” program, authorizing nearly $800 billion in federal expenditures and tax cuts.

That stimulus program was another general failure all around. Borrowed money went to projects that were not really needed, while needy projects failed or barely survived, and few if any of us were inspired to do the heavy lifting we need to do to really make the future better.

The international financial crisis still smolders, fueled by soaring national debts. The U.S. debt has grown by $6 trillion during Obama’s four-year watch, compared to $4 trillion growth during the eight years that George W. Bush held the budget-busting reins of federal spending.

I don’t support either Presidential candidate yet (or their party lines), because I think, like most of the people I talk to, that our country has to do much, much better.

More spending won't solve our problems. Neither will more tax cuts.

Campaigns encourage voters to switch off their opponent. Too many of us are switching off the whole process, which will come back to haunt us.

Too much apathy, like too much trust in one party or one candidate, allowed this mess to happen.

Take an interest. The stakes are high. This election will pivot the country to the right or to the left for many years to come.

Make your vote count, and whatever you do, don't give it away too soon.