Think. Vote.

     It is the eve of the 2016 U.S. National Election.  At this point, most of us are sick of television ads, robo-calls and junk mail endorsing both sides of state and local propositions.  I stopped watching television newscasts two months ago because I could no longer stomach gleeful reports of presidential political fisticuffs and slap shots.  While this election cycle has lasted longer than a hockey season, this election is not a game.

     No United States presidential election is a game because the outcome affects the entire planet.

     Cable news and its histrionic, muckraker mentality has allowed Americans to become completely distracted by circus-like entertainment when we should have been concentrating on the fundamentals of national policies that will impact our lives.  While we were cheering the larger-than-life flamboyance of a ringmaster and the zany antics of clowns, we failed to analyze the costs associated with not only buying the ticket, but cleaning up the mess when the show left town.

     Countless voices have warned that American ignorance is dangerous.  World leaders such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Mexico’s Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu are bracing for the possibility that Americans will flood across their borders based on the outcome of this election.  Syrian President Bashar Assad, Former South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sung-han, French President François Hollande, and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier all addressed the need for stable and rational American leadership to protect world security through formal and informal alliances.

     On October 27 Russia’s Vladmir Putin correctly placed responsibility for America’s future on Americans by stating: “Hysteria has been whipped up in the United States about the influence of Russia over the U.S. presidential election ... It's much simpler to distract people with so-called Russian hackers, spies, and agents of influence. Does anyone really think that Russia could influence the American people's choice in any way?”

     Meanwhile, in March, Australian minister Christopher Pyne said “democracy should be robust, but it certainly shouldn't be violent” and described the behavior of Americans at presidential political rallies as “terrifying.”

     It is clear from this writer’s perspective that the mainstream media has fanned the fires of discontent by focusing on the entertainment value of politics rather than on political fundamentals.  We can surely thank the media and “ratings week” for making Donald Trump a presidential contender while ignoring the hard-won experience and credentials of Hillary Clinton.  Yet, on the eve of the election, here we are.

     I invite readers to leave the circus tent and the din of the crowd to ponder the enormous responsibility of casting a ballot for President of the United States of America.  Consider deeply whether the choice you make will be based on emotion or logic.  Base your decision only on fundamentals such as economic stability, national security, adherence to Constitutional law, and the safety of our streets from threats both foreign and domestic. Do not make a decision based on personalities, rhetoric, costumes worn by of the actors, second-hand information or what will satisfy your momentary happiness.  Think about your community, your city, your state, your region, your country, our neighbors, and the rest of the world.  Take these moments in the silence of this night to think.

     Please, please, think.

     Search yourself for patience, tolerance, peace, and love for family, friends, and country.  Sleep on these important matters one last time.

     And, please, cast your ballot for whatever truth and right and hope is within you.