There has been much ado about the leaked tapes of Romney saying that 47 percent pay no taxes. Was this comment inelegant? Absolutely. Was it accurate? Most assuredly.

Granted, many of those not paying taxes are the elderly and the working lower middle class and, sadly, those who simply cannot find a job. But far too many of that 47 percent are those who pay no taxes because they are among the growing number of people who feel they are entitled; entitled to the government providing their housing, food and health insurance. It must also be remembered that barely more than 30 percent paid no taxes during the Bush years. This rate of increase is not only an outrage, it is a tragedy.

We are fast becoming a nation of dependency. That should frighten every man woman and child half to death. We did not build this great nation on being dependent upon the government; to the contrary, we built it upon self reliance and independence.

If this one inelegant comment stops you from voting for Romney, this writer states here categorically you scare me as much as Obama does.

I am a student of history and, as such, I see the United States in a similar position as the German nation was when Hitler first came to power. Their nation was hurting to the point of being on the edge of the abyss. Hitler promised them easy solutions where there was the proverbial chicken in every pot. By all accounts, he was an elegant mesmerizing speaker who gilded the lily. Some Germans knew from the start he was a dangerous man, but backed him in spite of it. Many Germans soon realized he was a danger, but were afraid to rock the boat. By the time the majority realized what he was, it was too late.

Now do I think Obama will lead the United States into a world war? No, I absolutely do not, but he is leading us down the path of destruction nonetheless.

If we do not get our nation on track in the next few years, we will be doomed to watch the fall of the greatest nation ever known to man. We do not have the luxury of allowing another four years to pass. It will be too late then. There needs to be drastic changes made in order for the United States to survive.

We can do it now when we are still strong enough to weather them or try to do it later when it will only be a futile attempt to stop the inevitable.

That is your choice this election day. I, for one, will be voting for the future of my grandchildren and will therefore be proudly casting my vote for Romney.

J.M. Kosiol

Hays