To the Editor:

Every now and then I read a letter in The Tidewater News and I am compelled to respond. I disagree with Louise Miglionico in regard to her view of Sarah Palin (“Palin sets women back,” Wednesday, Oct. 15)

I hold an executive position on two local boards. I have traveled much of the world and in the past I was employed by a company and controlled a large budget. My husband is a small business owner. My point is that I find Sarah Palin completely articulate and a breath of fresh air to Washington politics as usual.

I was fortunate enough to hear her speak along with John McCain in Virginia Beach this week and she had a firm grasp of the issues that directly affect our economy and the world.

I would like to ask people if they want our politicians to be cookie cutter robots that speak the same rhetoric. Personally, I like to hear the facts straight up and to the point. I am not so snobby that I cannot listen to someone with a more down to earth speaking style.

I would like to take this opportunity to state that I hope Virginians are listening to what the candidates are actually saying instead of their style. This presidential election is the most important election that I have seen in my lifetime. There are two very different choices.

Barack Obama believes in “redistribution of wealth.” In case we have forgotten this is called socialism. He also believes in raising taxes even during this current economy for this redistribution of wealth. He also blames the economic crisis on the Bush Administration when Democrats such as Barney Frank and Chris Dodd proposed the current failing economic policies.

I must state that one crucial issue I personally have with Barack Obama is that under no circumstances would a known domestic terrorist such as William Ayers have been in our home even when I was eight years old as he claims. In fact this relationship has more depth to it than that.

John McCain will be the proven maverick to business as usual in Washington. He, along with Sarah Palin, will support a government that works for us instead of controlling us. All I ask of Virginians when they go to the polls is to do what is best for the Country not what is best for the person that is running for office.

Pat Pope Hartman

Courtland, Virginia