William Pasquince

12 Nepfc Teams Make District Playoffs

Tuesday, November 07, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 6A 





If ever a recent national election dealt with issues that affect
Northeastern Pennsylvanians directly and deeply, this is the contest. ``My
vote doesn't really count.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That weak excuse barely squeaked by in other election years; this year it
is downright, outright wrong. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ``Politicians are all the same, and their concerns aren't my concerns.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We've heard that one time and time again, but this is not a vintage year
for that whine. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The entire nation is watching you today. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pennsylvania is a swing state in the race for president, and your vote can
determine the next four years of our nation's policies, practices, decisions
and direction. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 More than the voter in Vermont or Wyoming - whose vote was tallied months
ago by the statisticians and pundits - you are the unknown, the x-factor.
Unless, of course, you choose not to vote today, then you're no factor at all. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If ever a recent national election dealt with issues that affect
Northeastern Pennsylvanians directly and deeply, this is the contest: Social
Security, health care, taxes and the surplus, and education. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As one of the largest older populations in the nation after Florida, many
local voters have a vested interest in whether Bush or Gore wins. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In an area where hospitals are consolidating and downsizing, where
health-care plans are evaporating or skyrocketing in price, your vote - and
its trickle-down effect - is going to count this time. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Today you get a chance to bring economics to its most fundamental,
practical level by deciding whether you want to have a tax cut or you want to
pay off the debt. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 You are being asked whether to commit this nation to improving and
maintaining public education or whether to offer parents educational
alternatives outside the system. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If those issues are not enough, today you'll be getting a say in the
possible composition of the Supreme Court over the next four years, what
priority you place on environmental protection and on how your armed forces
are deployed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Never has an election presented so many deeply personal yet nationally
far-reaching choices. Never have Pennsylvania's registered voters held this
degree of influence and responsibility. The nation is watching. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Vote. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Your Vote Cast In Pa. Will Echo Across Nation