I’m a Republican and I voted against President Obama. Mitt Romney, however, wasn’t my favorite among all Republican candidates.

The time when the Anglo male voter controlled elections is long past. Women, Latinos, gays and African Americans have taken their place. Even the tradition of Miami’s Cuban Americans being strongly Republican is dying. The whole country has changed, and unless Republicans react positively to it, we will see them eventually become a minority party.

This is the party of Lincoln. But it is too connected to the tea party and its obsession with issues that go against the opinions of the majority of Americans. Romney is a rich man who showed little empathy for the poor, disabled and older people.

I believe that we do not vote “for” but “against.” America is in desperate need of cleaner campaigns with fewer attacks on others.

I come from Cuba and have been in this country for 53 years. I’m afraid we are becoming a banana republic. This might be the beginning of the end of our electoral system. Obama, whom I do not trust, is now my president and I will do all I can to support him, as long as he acts as a leader. That should be the American way.

Jose B. Sanchez, Palmetto Bay