Sometimes I get just plain disappointed in people.

In the newspaper business we accept the fact that people are going to come to us with complaints about a variety of things ranging from politics, the service they got at a local business, or someone's name left out of a story. We take it in stride and try to satisfy them as best we can or allow them to use the newspaper as their voice to complain about the way government works -- or not.

On November 6, Americans will have the opportunity to vote in one of the most important and historic elections in the history of this country. The policies of the Democratic Party and Republican Party are so far apart; we will see our nation change for the better or possibly have it fall into a hole it can never climb out of.

What will the majority of Americans do? THEY WILL NOT VOTE! That's right, more people will fail to go to the polls and vote than those who will exercise this most important freedom. That is sad and it is very dangerous when you consider the future of this nation.

People who wanted freedom in the strictest sense founded this nation and they formed a government that was tolerant and inviting to everyone who wanted that freedom. Millions have died for that great idea over the last 250 years.

We are all descendants of immigrants but today some want to tell those who believe our forefathers, they are not welcome. Most people do not realize our government makes it so difficult and expensive to become a citizen, millions give up because they cannot make enough money to live and cover the thousands it, cost to apply.

The quote on the Statue of Liberty says:

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Foremost on the minds of our founders was the freedom to practice their religion. Now, there are those who would say only some religions are welcome. That is not what we, as Americans, are about! Don't wave the flag and call yourself a patriot if you want to exclude some religions because they do not believe the same as you.

The list of issues, important to this election, are many. The question is, "Are they going to be decided by a minority of qualified voting Americans; or, are a majority of registered voters going to care enough to get out of the recliner and be a part of what makes this nation great?"

In the movie, All The King's Men, Willie Stark said, "If you don't vote, you don't count."