Election 2012 - The Vote

Well it is the day before the big election and what do we know? We know that the race is too close to call; that each side is claiming victory will be theirs; that both are still campaigning hard; that there is a big push to get folks to vote and that this election means a great deal to the future of America.

When I look at the election a few things spring to mind:

• This election is not just about the President. It is about over 200 House and Senate seats; it is about many referendums in many states and it is about the future of America.
• It is about failure and how we fix our economy
• It is about our kids and grandchildren
• It is about the global economy and how we compete
• It is about peace and how we keep and encourage it worldwide
• It is about our morals and families

We have seen a partisan divide the likes of which i cant ever remember. We are a polarized nation with a blurred vision and weak morals. We seem lost and our American pride is not what it should be or has been. We are self centered and apathetic. In short we need a new path and new leadership.

In all honesty if I had my way I would fire every incumbent in Federal and State government through this election regardless of party. This would send a message to the remaining bunch that "We the People" mean business. We are fed up with politics as usual, with partisan fights, with greed and corruption. We want to remind you who you work for and what we expect!

Sadly that could never happen but on this election eve it is a nice dream. So even though we can't fire them all let's use our votes to send a message.

Before you vote tomorrow ask yourself about these 13 facts:

• There are 23 million Americans unemployed, underemployed or who have given up on finding a job. Yes, we can blame it on the recession; we can blame it on G.W. Bush or we can just admit that we have failed to develop job creation and we have to do better.
• We have had 43 months of over 8% unemployment. Yes, it has dropped slightly but in many places it is well into double digits. We can't sustain our economy with this high unemployment - the tax base is too small.
• Over 45 million Americans are on food stamps. That is a record and a disgrace for the wealthiest country in the world. Again this also creates serious tax revenue implications.
• Minority and young American unemployment is the highest it has ever been. Our future is our young people - they need to work. Hispanic unemployment is over 10% and young black unemployment is over 50%.
• Gas prices have doubled in the last 4 years. In some places more than that. This has a massive impact on our economy and we see no end in sight with the current administrations policies.
• Food prices are up over 25% in the same period. This is critical especially with so many unemployed.
• The "middle class" has lost over 33% of their net worth since 2008.
• Average Household income is down $4300 from 2008
• Health insurance costs are up $2500 since Obama care passed and will rise another $3000 if it is fully implemented.
• We have added $6 trillion to the national debt - more than the last 3 Presidents combined
• We have had the worst job creation since 1945 - actually we have no net job growth
• The United States credit rating has been down graded twice in the last 4 years
• And over 67 million Americans are on some form of government assistance - the highest in history.

Sure we can argue about how we got here and who is at fault but we can't refute the facts - we are in trouble! So we can spend time on pointing fingers at each others parties or we can send a clear message tomorrow and tell the government to fix these problems and do it now. We can tell them we are tired of excuses and failed plans - we want results. We are fed up with partisan finger pointing - knock it off and get to work.

Implicit in this message is a choice - who is best equipped to lead us out of this mess? That is the hard part of voting. We are all influenced by the barrage of negative TV ads; the debates; the campaign promises and what our friends or family think. When it comes right down to it remember this:

• We are the greatest Democracy on earth and people are watching us - looking for leadership
• In the quiet of the voting booth it is what you truly believe - not what the TV ad said or how your sister voted. Democracy demands that you vote your conscience. So do that.
• Leadership counts - more now than ever. Do we need a change or do you think that 4 more years of the Obama administration is best?
• We must never decide based on racial, religious or trendy factors. Politicians must be held accountable just like we are in our jobs. You fail you get fired!
• Voting is a critical part of being American. Many people don't have that right and many are dieing trying to get it. Our troops are fighting daily to give us that right so don't insult them by not voting.
• No matter how you vote - just make darn sure you do it!

Tomorrow night some will be celebrating and some will be very sad - that is Democracy. You know what else is Democracy? Setting aside our differences after the decision is made and getting the job done. Results not rhetoric. So I pray that the American people come out in record numbers, vote their true beliefs and that when the dust settles we can come together and get about fixing this great country. Have a great day tomorrow and may your party win! Ha!