To the Editor:

I value informed dialogue and debate. I value our democracy and the ideal of informed citizen participation. Therefore, I was saddened to read Mr. Elliott’s recent letter sharing his fabricated fears for the future of gun ownership should Sen. Obama be elected. We have seen a culture of fear penetrate America, primarily to perpetuate those in power. Americans deserve an informed, truthful debate, not a fantasy of falsehood.

Mr. Elliott states that Sen. Obama never mentions the Second Amendment. Clearly, he has not done his research. While emphasizing the need to find common ground, Sen. Obama stated in his acceptance speech, “Don’t tell me we can’t uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals.” His policy statement says: “Barack Obama believes the Second Amendment creates an individual right, and he respects the rights of Americans to bear arms.”

The long litany of fear laid out by Mr. Elliott is unsubstantiated and misguided speculation. He might as well conjure up a pack of Bigfoot invading Grant County. He could even perpetuate the falsehood that Sen. Obama is a Muslim rather than the follower of Christ Sen. Obama has long proclaimed himself to be.

There are good reasons to vote for Sen. Obama and good reasons to vote for Sen. McCain. However, continuing to misinform and mislead the American voter, particularly using fear tactics, is unethical, undemocratic, and un-American. I encourage each voter to consider a variety of issues and become informed rather than believing the variety of rumors that are perpetuated. We the American people are better than that.