As the McCain-Palin ticket launches their "new" campaign strategy -- attacking the character of Barack Obama -- Americans should ask themselves whether we can afford to continue these politics, a politics that have characterized the Bush-Cheney administration and that have resulted only in the rich getting richer while too many young Americans sacrifice themselves overseas.

Our American way of life is currently in jeopardy like at no time I have ever seen during my 46 years. Hard-working citizens are losing their homes and can't afford decent health care, and jobs move out of this area on a weekly basis. Despite the fact that American productivity has increased over the last eight years, the working and middle class have seen their standard of living go down, while the top two percent of this country has made out like bandits. These are Bushonomics, and Sen. McCain has failed to demonstrate what he will do differently. All his tax cuts go to those earning more than $250,000 per year, those who have already seen their bank accounts swell to new heights under the Bush-Cheney administration.

And now, McCain is proposing to tax the health benefits I receive through my employer! I, for one, am tired of this war on the working people of this country. How rich do the rich need to get? If McCain can do something for everyday Americans, now is the time for him to demonstrate that to us, and if he can't, if all he can offer us is fear itself, then he should pack his bags and go back to one of his many homes.

Shari Jacobson,

Lewisburg