VPs: Here's the rest of the story

The last page of the My Turn on vice presidents (July 21) was unintentionally omitted, resulting in numerous calls and confusion. Here is a synopsis of the last page:

There were 14 vice presidents who became president, seven of them due to the death of the president. These are J. Adams, Jefferson, VanBuren, Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson, Arthur, T. Roosevelt, Coolidge, Truman, L. Johnson, Nixon, Ford and George H.W. Bush, who was the most qualified.

Some circumstances have had an effect on the nation’s direction. In regard to the selection of this vice president I firmly believe Mitt Romney with God’s help will nominate a running mate with strong conservative principles.

It is imperative now that this nation with as many serious problems as we have must have a strong, committed president and vice president who will work with a conservative Congress to reduce the size of the government; remove some of the regulatory obstacles for farming, mining and manufacturing, which will also bring overseas business back to this country; and open closed areas for mining, including uranium, coal, oil, gas and hard rock. Let’s reduce or eliminate the capital gains tax, corporation tax, estate tax and income tax.

Many agencies we never heard of 70 years ago need to be reduced or removed from power. We could start with these few: IRS, EPA, ESA, UN, ATF, OSHA, IMF, SSI, BLM BIA, Entitlements, Department of Education, Ex. Im. Bank, Federal Reserve, foreign aid and many more. The medical profession must be removed from the government and returned to the physician and the patient. The president and vice president can start a process to eliminate all subsidies and let the free market work.

We must strengthen our military and regain the support of our friends in Central and South America. We must look to God once again for our salvation, and the family unit for guidance and principles. This nation must return to the roots of the constitution. The next president will undoubtedly select one or more Supreme Court justices, with Scalia at 78 years of age, Kennedy 78, Breyer 76, and Ginsburg 81. The foundation of this country has been torn apart in four years and it will take 20 years to rebuild it. This may be our last or only chance to return to the foundation of our republic.

This is why it is so important for Romney to be the next president and select a running mate with strong, unwavering conservative principles who can also get elected in the future. As Jefferson said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is also strong enough to take everything you have.” Remember: freedom is not free; free men are not equal; equal men are not free.

These are my thoughts and I welcome yours. My email is bobholli@yahoo.com.

BOB HOLLINGSWORTH

Coeur d’Alene