The long, lazy days of summer are slowly but surely turning
shorter, and nights are noticeably cooler. It’s one of many signs
that the time to think about sun and surf, about vacations and
relaxing is coming to an end.
The long, lazy days of summer are slowly but surely turning shorter, and nights are noticeably cooler. It’s one of many signs that the time to think about sun and surf, about vacations and relaxing is coming to an end.
The first day of school is around the corner. Stores are already selling back-to-school supplies (weeks before teachers will distribute their back-to-school-supply lists). It’s time to begin thinking about bell schedules and new teachers, homework assignments and football games.
Speaking of sports, the Olympics will be starting in Athens, Greece this week. They’re always a chance to celebrate hard work, competition, sportsmanship and patriotism.
Speaking of patriotism, it’s time to start paying attention to politics, if you’re not already. This year, like never before, every vote will count.
As a nation, we’re a sharply divided country facing a critical presidential election. The winner of the race for the White House will likely impact the composition of the Supreme Court, the direction of the war in Iraq, the manner in which we combat the threat of terrorism, how we fight dreaded diseases and beyond.
But deciding who will occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the next four years is just the beginning of the important choices voters will make on Nov. 2. We’ll choose members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate, who will have the power to make the president’s job easy or difficult.
At the state level, we’ll decide on a bevy of initiatives, and choose members of the California Assembly and Senate.
Locally, we’ll choose a number of school board and city council members. These are the people whose decisions – from curriculum to land use, from reading lists to paving roads – really affect our day-to-day lives.
Of course, you can’t vote if you’re not registered, so take a few minutes to register if you’re not already. Forms are available at public libraries, city and county offices, the Department of Motor Vehicles and post offices.
Take a hint from the shorter days and cooler nights: From school books to ballot statements, it’s time to get back into the swing of things.
