Pocketbook issues that will influence the next election include high gasoline prices, across the board food price increases, and job losses. Regardless of traditional voting habits, the upcoming election will not be decided upon by political ideology. Voters will be casting their ballots for the candidate that they think will solve their immediate problems, their budgets.

These are times that are confusing for most of us. While many businesses seem to be doing well, and large oil companies continue to post massive profits, a lot of folks can't pay their bills. They can't afford to get sick either, everything has gotten so expensive that we only try to get to the next paycheck. Although many politicians have not noticed, many Americans are hurting in economic terms.

Senator McCain, and whoever ends up being his opponent in the general election this November had better come up with some solid plans on how to improve upon our domestic economy. While a one time economic stimulus is a welcome thing, most voters are smart enough to realize that nothing is fixed by receiving one check in the mail. We need long-term fixes for chronic problems that have been left untended the past 20 years.

Any aspiring politician for elective office this year should realize that the status quo of Washington politics is no longer acceptable. Our energy problems were totally predictable many years ago. Now, we approach a crisis situation for many average citizens. We have just about reached the point where gasoline is becoming too expensive to afford, and the cost of basic foods is racing upwards almost as quickly.

Hungry voters will vote differently than politicians are accustomed to. Politicians who have become too invested in the lobbyist infested streets of Washington had better wake up and start worrying about their duty to our country, and its citizens. No one should doubt the resolve of Americans who are upset with the present state of affairs.

This is the time that should herald the beginning of a realistic energy policy. Nuclear energy producing electricity across the United States would be a good start. Oil drilling activity into known reserves in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic should begin in earnest. Corn should not be part of our fuel mixture, it should be food for hungry people. For me personally, one thing is sure, I will be voting my pocketbook this year, and probably for many more to come.

Learn more about this author, Bob Schmidt.
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