In Laredo, on the Mexican border, we were hosted by Shawn Miller. Born in 1972, in Lubbock, North Texas, Shawn's father was an airplane pilot air who made them travel around the United States (Wisconsin, Michigan, California, etc.). Shawn also spent six years in France in the early 2000s between Burgundy and Saint-Etienne. For this teacher who holds three Masters (philosophy, history, finance) and continues to study again and again, the choice for the election is made.



He will vote Republican.



"The difference between Republicans and Democrats is certainely not huge, but this year I'm going to vote Republican. In 2008, I voted for the Libertarian Party. It's not that I support Romney but I like Paul Ryan because he is like a philosopher politician. He follows the thought of Thomas Aquinas and it is really great. I studied philosophy in France and I love St. Thomas Aquinas."



Shawn's credo is individual freedom, the substance of his belief. He explained that he had great confidence in human nature and thinks like the Bible. Since God created men and women in His image and are therefore good and should be given the opportunity to be good.



​His political choices reflect his religious beliefs but also the vagaries of his life. "In 1994, I was looking for a job and I discovered that a law (Americans with Disabilities Act-on access to employment for the disabled) discouraged employers who could hire me. To employ a disabled person at this time was very expensive. It really harmed me. Today, Obama certainly has some good qualities, and he has been attacked unfairly, but whatever he does I'm against it, because he wants more government. And for me that is really a painful domination."



Less federal government, more local government. That's what Shawn wants. "I want more freedom and less taxes, that is why I agree with Ron Paul (from Texas too) and libertarians."



​The teacher recognizes that in practice, the Republicans, when they have the power, do like the others and raise taxes. And in the United States, a third party cannot win. For him the participation in civic life is also a key issue.



"We are 300 million people and we tend to think one vote cannot change anything. Why vote? In 2008, I taught at university and many students did not know anything about politics. It really was not glorious. There are even people who vote saying " Obama is handsome." They vote without intelligence ... It is not very glorious for our country too."

Shawn Miller, freedom first

TEXT & PHOTOS Mélinda

Shawn Miller at the back of his house.

Shawn Miller, 40 years old