All rise.

            Inflation, crime, distrust in our government, hate, fuel, food, drug overdoses, etc.  It seems that just about anything we can think of continues to rise.

            War, famine, growing threats to Americans, immigration, the COVID pandemic, a government whose information leaks like a sieve, and a divisiveness among people that seems to grow every day and often fed by those leaks and other "official" information or social media hysteria.

            The Primary Election is next Tuesday.  Know your candidates and vote.  There is not one person on the ballot who can fix all the problems mentioned above.  But, perhaps a core group of candidates with the well-being of all Americans in their message can be the start of bringing a sense of sanity back to the people.

            Like-minded candidates willing to put hate and retaliation in the rearview mirror and work towards leading the United States out of the quagmire we're in.

            Paybacks don't belong in politics.  Too many politicians and their advisors spent too much time focusing on the past and planning revenge on their adversaries.  They seem to forget about the future – or the present.

            Too many politicians and their advisors spent way too much money on research and polls looking for, or creating, the best distractions of the day to take people's minds off of self-inflicted mistakes that could make them look bad.  They are trying to make everybody a one issue voter.

            Folks, there are a lot of issues to consider during this election.  Most will be ultimately decided in November's General Election, but, on Tuesday, voters will decide who will be on that ballot.  Perhaps your favorite candidate does not check all of your personal issue boxes, but look for the one that you truly feel will represent you, your state, and your country best.

            Vote on Tuesday, May 17.