The fearmongers are coming out and they are multiplying. Their goal is to distribute terror, venom, fright, shock and horror to weak-minded voters about Barack Obama.

We don't know what to expect when we elect a president. We can only predict what may be in store according to the political party. In 2000, did we expect a war, recession or escalating energy prices? Did we expect a bullying president who doesn't listen to his advisers, has acted instinctively on many issues and led us into the wrong war?

For the past 40 years, we haven't had outstanding presidential leadership, with the exception of Bill Clinton. The Ronald Reagan years included the savings and loan crisis and mythical laissez-faire economics. George H.W. Bush's tenure was holding the fort, and failing to complete the Gulf War. Richard Nixon had Watergate. Jimmy Carter had the Iran hostage and energy crises, and inflation. The Clinton administration was a boom time despite his Republican-conceived impeachment.

We need strong and persuasive leadership to convince Congress to solve our problems and plan for the future. Many people in the world today have become more sophisticated and educated, and we must compete with rising countries such as China, India, and Brazil.

Obama can provide the leadership needed to remain competitive and productive, and to plan for the future. He has the qualities of a great leader: gifted; knowledgeable; persuasive; an aggressive problem-solver; poised; committed; and a great communicator.

I don't expect the fearmongers to support him and it is a waste of time to appeal to them. I am appealing to the self-thinkers -- well informed futurists -- to scrutinize this election and look beyond the fearmongers.

A lot is riding on this election and we must put our emotions and bias aside. A vote for John McCain may lead us down the path to a depression.