Journal-News.com

FRANKLIN — Nancy Nichols lost her life savings in an investment that went sour a few years ago and she is still trying to recover. She's not sure what a politician can do, but she hopes the next president of the United States will take care of the economy.

"I don't know if there's any way to protect people. I don't know how much politicians can do," Nichols said from the porch of her Franklin home.

Although it's an election she worries about, it's also one she hopes will bring changes in the country, especially in health care.

Nichols, 58, who quit working when her grandfather needed extra care, takes medicine for diabetes and high cholesterol. With no health care of her own, her husband must keep working until she can qualify for Medicare.

"There's no way he's going to be able to retire at least until I can get Medicare because I take so many medicines," she said of her 62-year-old husband.

But health care and the economy matter little if the next president doesn't take care of national security, she said.

"If our country's not safe and we haven't protected ourselves then nothing else really matters," she said. "I know other people need help, but there's so many people here who are starving and are in need, so I think that should be top priority."

With such a long list of things to do, Nichols, a self-described conservative, is putting her faith behind Sen. John McCain and his vice presidential running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whom Nichols said she particularly likes for her blunt speeches.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.