For the last several elections I have been resigned to vote for the "lesser of two evils." Neither candidate was the ideal. We just don't get the "best and brightest" America has to offer.

Now I am disgusted with the vitriol in the campaigns (no real issues or specifics) and people with a lot of money "buying" the election. A USA Today article in December stated that 2.5 million voters left the Democratic and Republican parties since the 2008 elections; there are now 42 million Democratic voters, 30 million GOP voters, and 24 million independent voters.

It appears that more people are getting disgusted. Perhaps we could all become independents, and put forward and vote for the person who would best lead this country, not just a party.

If we did that, the Democrats and Republicans would quickly get the message that this country is for and by the people, not a political party or rich people. If we don't do something soon, shame on us!

Bob Buchanan

Hartwood