Key Words: Early Vote, Enthusiams Gap, Presidential Election

ENTHUSIAM FACTOR MAY
DETERMINE NEXT PRESIDENT

 By Mildred Robertson

As Americans prepare to head for the polls on November 6, or before if we early or absentee vote, we are flooded with opinions, polls and talking heads that tell us what the outcome will be.  It is almost as though we are on the outside looking in--as though our opinion or actions have no impact on the outcome.

That could not be further from the truth.

The election comes down to you and me. Our individual decision will determine who raises his hand in January to take the oath of office. Our action or inaction will help determine the direction our country will take for the next four years.

Issues that face this nation are daunting. We must determine how to reign in the exploding national debt, while providing for those who are most vunerable in our society. We must balance the needs of the elderly, the sick, the poor and the young with our commitment to free enterprise and personal responsibility. We have to seek an end to international conflicts while safeguarding our shores and promoting our values.  It is imperative that we stabilize and re-energize our economy and put Americans back to work.

These are all imperatives upon which most of can agree. The problem is, how best to address these problems.

So it is not whether we believe Mitt Romney is a social and political snob, or whether President Obama is a Muslim. It is not even whether we believe in gay marriage or the right to choose. While these are issues that spark deep personal emotions, and deserve a place in the national dialogue, the question that we must address on November 6 is which man best understands the critical issues that face America and which one has a plausible plan of action to address them.

As you watch the 3-ring circus on the nightly news, you may wonder what impact you could possibly have on the outcome. It appears that the election is being decided over the airwaves, and political pundits are telling us what we think and how we will act on November 6.

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the war of words, and the onslaught of 30-second sound bites that seem to define this race. The media, in general, will provide you with a biased assessment of who the candidates are, and what they stand for, focusing upon a misspoken word, or an ill-delivered speech.

One idea the media has seized upon is, I believe, relevant. It is the enthusiasm factor.  That means how excited voters are about their respective candidate.

It appears that the election may decided, not by what the majority of Americans believe, but rather about whether they feel strongly enough about their candidate to vote those beliefs.

Somehow, each of us must wade through the overwhelming mess that is our current political process and identify the basic issues that are of personal importance to us.  Then we must decide which man is up to the task and vote our beliefs.

The political process doesn’t work if we don’t participate. The simple fact is—it is not over until it is over; and that is when the last vote is counted.

Make sure your vote is among them. Vote on November 6!

To find early voting sites in North Carolina, go to: https://batchgeo.com/map/NCEarlyVoteSites