We have read and heard much about the dissatisfaction many Americans feel about the major-party presidential candidates. The Associated Press article "Fear factor: Americans scared of their options" in Friday's Dispatch underlined this when it cited polls stating that 81 percent of Americans would be afraid if one of them won the presidency, with 25 percent scared of both.

We have read and heard much about the dissatisfaction many Americans feel about the major-party presidential candidates. The Associated Press article �Fear factor: Americans scared of their options� in Friday�s Dispatch underlined this when it cited polls stating that 81 percent of Americans would be afraid if one of them won the presidency, with 25 percent scared of both.

We don't have to settle for either one. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate, has steadily risen in both national and key state polls since his nomination in May, now garnering 10-15 percent support. In a recent Fox News poll, he outranked Hillary Clinton 23 percent to 22 percent among independents. A Pew Research Poll has him leading Donald Trump 22 percent to 21 percent among millennials. And a poll of Kansas voters showed him outranking Trump among Hispanics.

It is very possible that Johnson will achieve the 15 percent threshold in five major polls that would qualify him to appear in the presidential debates.

Americans are desperately looking for a president who really will reduce the size, scope and cost of the federal government, is committed to peace at home and abroad and has the governing experience to propose sound policy. Both Johnson and his running mate, Bill Weld, were Republican governors of heavily Democratic states. As governor of New Mexico, Johnson vetoed more legislation than the other 49 governors combined and reduced the size and cost of state government. Neither Trump nor Clinton has comparable experience.

Learn more about Gary Johnson by entering his name in your favorite search engine, or by visiting JohnsonWeld.com.

Harold D. Thomas

Vice chairman

Franklin County Libertarian Executive Committee

Columbus