Dear Neighbor,

    On November 4th, 2008, we, Ohioans, will be given the opportunity to exercise our right to vote, a right that countless numbers of brave men and women have proudly and unselfishly fought to preserve for us since the founding of our great nation. For some of us, this vote will be the first one that has ever been cast in our lives. For others of us, this vote will be another vote cast in a long history, with many more to come in our lives. And for some, it may well be the last vote ever cast in our lives.

    Interestingly, the right to vote may truly be one of the few remaining symbols in America today that continues to prove the treasured ideal that all men and women are created equal under God in this country. Politically, our election process has become embedded into a two-party system, with no legitimate organized third party on the horizon. Some of our fellow neighbors are content with the current system, while others have become so discontent that they have chosen to no longer participate due to the polarization it has wrought. Good or bad, the two-party system is here to stay.

    Before you vote this November 4th, 2008, I challenge you to be an educated voter and ask yourself these questions:

• Do you really know the candidates who are running? Do you know what their positions are?
• Have you ever spoken directly to one of them?
• Have you ever written or e-mailed a question to one of them?
• Where do you get your candidate information from?
• Have you ever truly reviewed the voting record of the current office holder?
• Are you a single issue voter?
• Are you a multi-issue voter?
• Have you ever felt pressured to vote for a specific candidate by your employer, your union, a Political Action Committee (PAC), or even your spouse or another family member without your even knowing the candidate?
• Has anyone ever presented you a list of candidates to vote for?
• Does a newspaper endorsement cause you to vote for a specific candidate?

Please think about these questions before casting your vote on November 4th. Doing anything less would be a disservice to the brave men and women who have served honorably to preserve this special right. I now respectfully ask you to review my background, values and positions on everyday matters that affect us, the citizens of the 13th District.

God Bless,

Dave Potter