In the first two presidential debates and in letters to the editor, there have been some incorrect statements that need to be addressed.

First, there have been references to the corporate scandals that have been blamed on the Bush administration. True, they became public knowledge within the first two years of his term in office; however, the actual misdeeds occurred during the 1990s - the time when lies were acceptable.

In the vice-presidential debate as well as the second presidential debate, both John Kerry and John Edwards put the blame for Iranian nuclear development squarely at the feet of the current administration. Does anyone remember the fact that India and Pakistan both developed nuclear weapons and can you remember who was president at that time? In fact, who was president in 1999 when North Korea developed theirs in underground bunkers while lying to our secretary of state?

There have been numerous letters to the editor in which the writer has declared Bush to be the worst president in the last 50 years. Have these writers forgotten the single term of President Jimmy Carter?

To refresh people's memory: During his term we had double-digit interest and inflation rates, the cost of food and housing soared, our military was weakened, U.S. citizens were held hostage in Iran, and our citizens were under threat when they traveled anywhere outside our borders.

Does anyone remember that when Bill Clinton ran for office his service record during the Vietnam era was to be considered a non-factor?

My last point is the assertion that there was a missed opportunity to eliminate Osama bin Laden in the mountains of Tora Bora.

During the time Clinton was in office, plans were drawn up to either capture or kill bin Laden, but of course Clinton never followed through to execute those plans.

That information can be found in the 9/11 commission's report.

In addition, there were several stories in different mainstream newspaper publications and programs on the History Channel that said Sudan had offered to turn bin Laden over to the U.S. government, but Clinton did not accept the offer.

Our nation is faced with many problems, both domestic and international. The biggest priority is the security of our nation and to remain strong in our fight against terrorism.

There is no other choice. Either we fight them now or allow them to gain strength and make the battle tougher in the future.

Sad to admit, I was once a Democrat, but that party no longer stands for anything I can believe in and does not share my personal values.