Are You Better Off Today Than You Were Four Years Ago?

 By Diego Garcia III | Editor of The Brownsville Beacon

It was the final debate of the 1980 presidential election. Incumbent President Jimmy Carter faced off against former California Governor and film actor Ronald Reagan. Reagan had thrown his hat in the presidential ring before. He had been mentioned as a presidential candidate before, but he had lost to Gerald Ford in 1976. He now faced off against the Democratic incumbent, and in the final debate turned to the camera and told the people to ask themselves one simple question. He asked, "are you better off today than you were four years ago?"

Reagan would go on to win in 44 states and secure a 489-89 electoral college landslide. He would serve two terms as President of the United States.

With the general election 31 days away, you have to ask yourself the same question. Are you better off today than you were four years ago? 

Are you happy with the job the incumbents have done? Have they represented you faithfully? Have they fulfilled their campaign promises? 

If they have, you know who to vote for. if they haven't, the only one who has the power to change the way things are run is you. If the current slate of politicians at the local, state, and federal level are not meeting your expectations; if they aren't addressing your concerns, look for new candidates.

You are responsible for the winds of change. Remember, those who make the decisions are selected by the governed. We have nobody to blame but ourselves if we choose to stay home on election day.

Find the candidate who aligns with your political views. Find the candidate who is going to represent the things you want.

Don't be fooled by politicians touting their accomplishments. Don't be swayed by politicos who will say anything and misrepresent the facts to get you to vote for them — ask them questions. Get them to tell you what they will do for you once they're elected.

Then when you find someone who you want to support, go out there and vote.

It really is amazing we get to choose who represents us in every level of government — don't squander your chance to make that choice.

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