Republican Party Ninth District Elaine Owen

What a difference two months has made. When Americans began going to the polls to vote for the next president, Republicans had a long list to choose from, including a senator from Arizona who appeared to have little chance of becoming the nominee. John McCain was considered out of step with mainstream conservatives and not expected to win the first primary.

What happened has astounded political pundits and confounded democrats. The March 4 Primaries gave him the delegate count to make him the Republican nominee for President. Now it's time to rally around America's choice and unite the Republican Party in an effort to continue our conservative ideals and put Mr. McCain in the White House.

John McCain embraces a belief in God and counts on his faith to sustain him in everyday decisions; who understands that there is evil in our world and for the safety of all freedom-loving people it must be confronted and defeated. I am comforted knowing that Mr. McCain has the knowledge and strength to lead our country by refusing to allow decisions concerning the safety and security of our nation to be governed by the political whims of foreign governments. Americans made a wise choice in voting John McCain the Republican candidate for President.

However, the primary election was only the beginning. Even in counties like Fannin County (and others across North Georgia) that are historically Republican, there is no assurance that voters will turn out-- unless you are one of them. Your vote is even more important this year. We cannot say, "I don't agree 100% with Mr. McCain's policies, so I just won't vote." There might not be a candidate that encompasses all the ideologies that I consider important, but I prayerfully hope that the ticket will satisfy my conservative nature because I know the best way to guarantee a Democrat in the White House is for conservatives to stay home because they do not totally agree with the Republican nominee.

I vote Republican because my husband and I work hard for our money. I do not think it fair for the government to take part of my paycheck so that someone else can sit home, watch TV and have the same benefits for which I work. I do not think it fair that I worked two jobs to put myself through college and the government can now take part of my paycheck so that someone else can go to college free. I vote Republican because when I go to sleep at night I want to know that I will not wake up to find I can't leave my home or go to my church because my freedoms have been taken away. I vote Republican because I trust we will not have another terror attack. But if that happens, I know our leaders will not sacrifice our lives or our ideals to make a political statement.

You are important in this year's election. Start by joining a group that supports conservative ideals and does not waiver in its commitment to elect Republicans. In Fannin County, that group is the Fannin County Republican Party. Join us every third Monday to discuss today's issues and help implement the proper and rightful governance of our country. We meet at the Fannin County Court House, Third Floor at 7 p.m. For a complete listing of county GOP meetings, go to http://www.gagop9.org/About 9thDistrict.htm and select your individual county for additional information.

Elaine Owen is secretary of the Fannin County Republican Party and VP of Fannin County Republican Women. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is a retired educator/software engineer and works as a stone crafter for The Stone Ladies + Jim. Elaine and husband Jim are happily enjoying life in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.