We have for several years made known our dissatisfaction with the current incumbent in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, Democrat John Salazar.

His avowed support of earmarks at a time when people across the political spectrum have condemned those pork-barrel budget additions is both out of touch and inappropriate.

In our view, he has been on the wrong side of issues ranging from the credit bailout bill to requiring identification for people voting in federal elections.

And, with few exceptions such as the bailout bill, he rarely challenges Democratic leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Unfortunately, Salazar’s Republican opponent, Delta County Commissioner Wayne Wolf, doesn’t inspire confidence either.

He offers a confusing mish-mash of conservative rhetoric and 21st century populism.

He opposes agricultural subsidies but would have supported the ag bill — with its massive subsidies — because, he said, it is good for rural America.

He wants to balance the budget in part by encouraging a stronger economy, and argues that Pelosi’s big-government philosophy is strangling that effort. But he would substantially enlarge the role of government in the marketplace, allowing it to set prices in certain areas if big corporations are undercutting the prices of local business too much.

He wants to limit the influence of what he calls “preservationists” in things like energy development and would impose heavy new restrictions on trade agreements with foreign nations.

Although both are honest, sincere men, we dislike too many of the policies espoused by John Salazar and Wayne Wolf. Therefore, we reluctantly decline to endorse anyone in the 3rd Congressional District.