Regardless of gender, race, color, ethnicity, education, avocation, location and persuasion, all citizens of voting age are equal at the ballot box in November. It is their opportunity to reset the course of government that has become obsessed with the power of investigation, persecution and prosecution on the one hand – and encouragement of lawlessness and promotion of dependency on the other. The validity and acceptance of 2024 election results will be reinforced by the extent of voter participation. Tenets of Constitutional democracy have been stretched, and technological advances have invaded personal privacy and invited government intrusion. National unity is also challenged by relaxed standards of conduct as the spirit of America has been succeeded by usurpation of political power driven by ambition and greed. November 5 results will determine whether we remain a democratic republic or accede to replacement of states’ rights by overarching dominance of federal legislation. Does it make sense for one state to decriminalize property theft up to $950 a day – or for federal legalization of highly controversial abortion up to the moment of birth? To which level of authority should such decisions on criminality be ceded? This is our opportunity to restore government of the people, by the people, for the people, state by state. and decide whether federal law can continue to unite them. Phil Osifer