As I watched the Red Sox lose the seventh game of the ALCS to Tampa Bay, I had this uneasy feeling that neither of the wishes I had for this fall would be granted. My first wish was that Boston would win the World Series with a ninth-inning, seventh-game grand slam from Dustin Pedroia. But hey, I’ve been a Red Sox fan my whole life – I’ll be OK in a few days.

As for my second wish – that John McCain would win the presidency – that could still happen, but events and circumstances recently have given me cause for concern and a sinking feeling America is about to enter a time of unprecedented economic and social upheaval. The economic troubles are coming no matter who wins; that is a certainty. The solution is not more government. Putting government in charge of solving financial problems is about as bright as hiring bank robbers to guard the vault at Bank of America.

But that’s not what worries me. What worries me is that America is seriously toying with the idea of electing the most liberal, radical, left-leaning candidate ever nominated by the Democrats. If elected, this man will put his hand on George Washington’s Bible and be sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 2009. Once that happens, we will have elected a president who:

Never told the truth about his dubious associations in Chicago, including friendships with an unapologetic terrorist friend (Bill Ayers) who does not regret bombing the Capitol and the Pentagon. Not to mention that Barack Obama launched his political career in his living room. What’s wrong with this picture?

Sat for 20 years in a church where his race-baiting pastor, Jeremiah Wright, laughingly curses God from the pulpit and says that America is the problem.

Among his many foreign supporters are dictators from Iran and Venezuela. Shouldn’t we be worried these guys want Obama to win? What does that say? Does anyone care?

Supports unrestricted abortion, including partial birth abortion, as well as (let’s call it what it is, shall we) infanticide. This is evil. Anyone who thinks this is OK should not be president.

Of course, I am just a small-timer living in Fort Kent who sees in black- and-white. And like most people, I can tell the difference between right and wrong. But as I travel up and down the St. John Valley, I see many lawn signs in support of Obama. And I can’t help but wonder: Do most people really know where this guy stands?

Is the only reason they are supporting him due to the faltering economy? Is that all that matters? I sincerely hope not. There are a great many good and honest people who live here and throughout Maine. Hardworking with strong families and solid community-minded folks who love America. Understandably they are concerned about their financial situation. I am concerned about that, too. But I am even more concerned that the fabric of our great country is being torn to shreds and that a President Obama will permanently alter the cultural landscape and do irreversible harm to our country.

Character and judgment are crucial in electing the most powerful man in the world.

The alternative, of course, is John McCain. I know that he is a flawed candidate, and no, he was not my first choice. But strong character and service to country matter, especially in this election, along with his willingness to fight terrorism both at home and abroad. Not to mention the fact that he is staunchly pro-life. This is why I will vote for John McCain.

I sincerely hope the people of Maine will think long and hard about whom they will vote for on Nov. 4 and why.

So, if John McCain loses, I will have voted, done my job and spoken my mind. That’s that.

And as with the Red Sox – I have learned to live with defeat – but I can’t help but think: Sarah Palin-Red Sox in 2012?

Jim Majka of Fort Kent is a freelance photographer.