The polls are tightening. Time is short. It's a while since the nation saw the 2 major party candidates together onstage, and Trump has been pretty quiet. Memories are short, and his scary performances and gaffes are fading from the public consciousness. The accusations from women are so numerous they hardly cause a blip anymore, just Trump business as usual.

There is a real chance that he could win if third party support erodes Clinton's support. For anybody who does not want to see that happen, the clear choice is to vote Clinton. I repeat: The surest way to defeat Trump is to vote Clinton. Any other course of action will not help and may hurt.

Maybe you don't like the current election system. A Republican president isn't going to change it. The party as a group are not interested in campaign reform, financial or any other way. A right-leaning Supreme Court gave us the Citizens United decision.

Maybe you prefer another candidate. That candidate isn't going to win. My opinion, voting isn't about validating your ideals, it's about choosing the person who will be best for the country. Sometimes you're lucky and that person corresponds closely to what you believe. Sometimes only some of what you believe. But the future of our country should be the only concern when Americans step into the voting booth. Not grudges, not pique, not payback for perceived unfairness, not stubbornly insisting on ideological purity.

Maybe you feel disenfranchised and plan to stay home. If so, you're disenfranchising yourself - no one else is. There is always a distinction to be made between candidates. I think the difference this year is stark. Trump has neither the experience, the qualifications, nor the temperament for the office. Also consider that he is a big unknown. His dealings haven't been scrutinized for 30 years.

This is the most sobering election of my lifetime, and I'm old. Everybody who doesn't want Trump, please vote and vote for the only person who can stop him. If you're undecided, seek out the candidates' websites and make an informed choice.

Thank you.