Get ready, all the fun’s about to begin...
4-23-08

April 22nd has come and gone and with it the PA primary for our elected officials. Pennsylvania is among one of the last several states to chime in and cast their votes for Presidential tickets, both Democrats and Republicans. The battles are going to get heated soon once both candidates on both tickets are solidly in play. I can’t think of a more important time for us to get educated and find out how we’d like to cast our ballot in November. In case you’re wondering what’s at stake besides President and VP, there are state offices, many state representatives and state senate seats up for election. Also up are state treasurer and state attorney general. As far as local races, check with your particular municipality to see exactly what’s up for November 4th.

Here are a few reasons why this election means SO much to us all and why we all need to get educated first and absolutely get to the polls on November 4th. First, in case you haven’t noticed we’re in a kind of economic slump. Putting it mildly we’re in near recession times. Gas prices, don’t even get me started. Gas, along with the toppling out of control costs of a lot of other items has many if not most Americans scrambling to keep from going broke between pay periods. Foreclosures, refinance woes, a stalled home buying market and lack luster job market have us all officially in an economic malaise. It’s been said America votes it’s ‘wallet or purse’. If so you’ve got more than a few reasons on economics to step up, get informed and get voting.

The next issue is our war on terror in the Middle East. Regardless of your position, clearly you have one, it seems everyone does. Should we get out a.s.a.p or stay and see to more stability before pulling out altogether? Each of the presidential candidates has their own spin, pay attention, lives are on the line with whoever gets chosen to sit in the oval office.

The environment is another hot button issue. What a hot potato this one is. From Al Gore to new reports almost daily, our elected officials have a lot to consider when it comes to improving our air, land and water. I don’t know if the environment is the hot potato many seem to think it is but it is odd that the past few winters have felt more like glorified fall/spring combinations than winter.

Taxes. Never a new topic but always an important issue. As a parent who sends their kids to a non public school I wonder if school tax relief will ever be a realized. The next administration and our state officials have a lot to go over to keep taxes in line without seeing a reduction in important local and state programs.

I could keep going but space being what space is for my column I’ll stop here. If you need to know why the November vote means so much and you can’t find any reasons to get to your polling place your either not looking or simply don’t care. Heaven help you if you’re of voting age and you’re not looking or apathetic about the spots up for grabs. We’re all busy, too busy but don’t be so busy that you don’t take a good hard look at whose running, track records and more before voting. Obviously make plans on Tuesday November 4th to vote. You have plenty of notice so clear a spot on your calendar.

Too many times we’ll all carp and moan about the state of things but without voting you really lose all credibility. Don’t be a taker, give back and exercise your right to vote. Let’s shoot for 100% turnout on 11/4 in our parts. In the meantime find a way to get information without all the negative spin garbage that sadly many of the campaigns will be bilging out. By now you’d think these eggheads that run campaigns would understand negative ads don’t get the electorate motivated. If anything I think people get turned off and don’t vote because they get disgusted. Dodge the bull, get educated and get voting on 11/4. I’m sure the fine folks at the library on Mill have all we’ll need to get informed. It’s as good as any place to get started. See ‘ya around town.