Finally, the race to November and beyond

The Republicans and Democrats have had their say. The conventions are all wrapped up and the hooting and holliering is over. Each party presented a vision for America. Now over the next few months citizens of this great nation will have to decide which vision they choose to believe.

We can bank on a few things. The months between now and Nov. 8 will seem like an eternity. Our senses will be assualted by claims and counterclaims from each side and other actors in between. The political slash-and-burn ads will come from all directions one after the other — and that’s just the race for president. In Georgia, we’ll also be voting for a Senate seat and locally two seats in the House of Representatives, District 2 and District 8.

This election cycle has already been one for the history books and that probably won’t change. In fact, there’s a very good chance voters will experience events never seen before in a presidential election year.

As citizens, Americans have a duty and responsibility, now more than ever, to pay attention and when the second Tuesday in November arrives, if not before, to cast a ballot for the person they want to lead the free world and the most powerful nation on the face of the earth. All elections have consequences and this election, along with all others, are not elections any citizen can afford to sit out. There is good news and bad. The good news is that on Nov. 8 we will know who the 45th president of the United States will be. The bad news is the race for 2020 will have begun.

This story was originally published July 28, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Finally, the race to November and beyond."