I've always been on the sidelines politically. All of the negative sparring usually sickens me to the point I stop listening. But this year I was intrigued by the newcomber on the political horizon, Barack Obama.

I wanted to learn more about him, so I picked up a copy of The Audacity of Hope. I was moved by his positive ideas about change. I was also, glad to see we might have a man of real integrity and compassion in the White House with him elected.

In recent months, besides reading Obama's book, I've read Madeline Albright's book The Mighty and the Almighty, Jack Cafferty's book, It's Getting Ugly Out There, and Nancy Pelosi's book, Know Your Power.

These reads reinforced what I was thinking about President Bush's leadership. We are in a state of crisis in our country and we need someone who can turn us in a better direction. We need someone who respects the Constitution and the people being served. We need someone who doesn't think he is the decider. We need someone who can draw the best minds together and make decisions based on the wisdom of many. No single person or trio of people have the answers to the many issues that need attention to turn our country around.

I'm praying for this ticket to win and give us a chance to reclaim our pride in our country to operate as a real democracy for the people and by the people. When I turn on the tube to hear the president, I will listen eagerly to where we are going instead of cringing about where he has decided to take us.

I pray that many people like me who have stayed on the sidelines will listen and act. We must respond now or we are part of the reason. We have not lived up to being the people. We have allowed too long someone to be the decider who doesn't care for our needs.