Hello HondaRider. I had to respond to your post--one of the few that was actually issue-based rather than negatively judgemental of the other party.

George Bush an embarrassment--agreed.

--Marriage should be between a man and a woman, religiously. I would never tell a church how to conduct its business. In being consistent and fair, a church should never tell the government how to conduct its business, and civil unions should be legal in every state.

--I don't favor abortions--but I do not favor the government mandating law on it. A woman should have the choice--and have motivation to make the right decision to have birth with the obvious agreeable exceptions.

--Lower taxes. Depends. There are some instances in your own household budget where unexpected costs come up--Same thing happens on a national level--such as 911, Katrina, and other events.

--Less government involvement in business. Agreed. This also means that your GOP loving CEO's shouldn't be hugging government when it comes to being given bailouts. GOP loving CEO"s hate government in business--where is that hate when the checks arrive??? Hmmmm.

--Religion should be allowed to be practiced freely---agreed, and it is. However, the government shouldn't endorse (in ANY way...any religion).

--Gun Rights. I have no problem with gun ownership. The problems I have is the ease of ability to purchase a gun. We go through a process to get a driver's license, why can't we have the bar set for gun ownership?

--Death Penalty. Never. Why? You can't correct a mistake once it's made. I'm against abortion and the death penalty. I'm for lifetime sentences...WITHOUT parole. A lifetime sentence isn't one if there is parole.

I would really like to have seen Hillary win in 08'. She isn't as off-base as McCain, and far more conservative on the economy than Obama.

I'm a centrist democrat... so there is some common ground between myself and some Republicans.

Thanks for reading.---Mathew