Don't forget to vote on Tuesday

Join me in saying "amen" to the end of the political commercials that have captured far too much of our time. Join me in saying "amen" to the ugly political process that seems virtually endless.

Come Tuesday - election day - the current chaos will slip slowly into the shadows, though we all know it's but a temporary break.

Speaking of ugly politics, let me make a personal point. I have - through this newspaper column - endorsed candidates and issues for more years than I care to count. My ego is not sufficient to think these endorsements make a difference. But politics is honestly about choices and I am unafraid to share mine.

In these many endorsements, I have tried very carefully to explain why I favor a candidate or an issue. I have tried equally hard to avoid targeting any candidate on a personal level. In fact, I applaud anyone who is brave enough to put themselves through the public scrutiny of a campaign.

But on the national level - and especially on the polar opposites of Fox News and MSNBC - it's all about personal attacks. As a conservative, I find myself unable to swallow the garbage spewed by the MSNBC crowd. These "journalists" are far from impartial. But I can accept that.

What I find unacceptable is the level to which they will sink to oppose a candidate. Granted, Fox News - my political channel of choice - shares in this personal bashing. It may be my impartial view but I believe they cannot hold a candle to the poison spouted on MSNBC.

Having said that, the end of this current political cycle is near. I assume you share with me the joy of this closing chapter in our political history.

Let me state the obvious. Vote this Tuesday. Cancel my vote if you like but vote regardless. Exercise that all-important right with pride this Tuesday.

But when the smoke clears, in your own way, keep some scorecard of those politicians you helped to elect. Keep them at their word. See what happens when they take their seat and compare if it matches the rhetoric of the campaign.

There are no right or wrong votes. Our system of government gives us choices. And if we elect men and women of integrity and intelligence with no hidden agendas, they will continue to protect our right to make those choices.

I don't pretend to believe that the division in this country will end with this election. It may even widen that division.

But through this process we can help define the future for our children and grandchildren. That alone is reason to vote.