By the time you read this, only a few days will remain for us to "Get Out The Vote". But it's never too late to act. In fact, it may be the very best time to move on the local level to remind your family, friends and neighbors to exercise their guaranteed constitutional franchise to vote.

The results of the election can and will impact every man, women and child in the nation, whether they like it or not.

There are so many ways that we can energize our neighborhoods to get moving. National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson's September/October Magazine Article mentioned some of them. It's time to implement these ideas. Right now!

Sure, we DAV'rs can't publicly support or approve individual candidates, but here is what we can do. We can be visible. We can highlight, discuss and analyze the issues and disclose the positions of the candidates, as they relate to disabled veterans and their families. In this way, we help to generate greater interest in the election and, "voila," achieve a better voter turnout.

Here's an example. One of the most crucial issues of the campaign is the method and manner of securing the future of Social Security. - - Vice President Al Gore's "plan" would retain social security as in its present form and, in addition, would establish what he refers to as "Retirement Savings Plus"- - establishing personal savings accounts with a government match that would presumably help a person build a nest egg of up to $200,000. The privately managed accounts, would be similar to 401 (k) accounts, with individual investments matched by the government, not employers. Participation would be voluntary and contributions tax deductible.

Governor George Bush's "Plan" would provide that a portion of the worker's FICA Tax (2% is mentioned) would be carved out and placed in the worker's retirement account. Participation would be voluntary. The balance of Social Security would remain as before with no increase in the Social Security payroll tax. Disability and Survivor's Benefits would also be retained. Investments would be in funds containing a mix of stocks and bonds and the account could be passed on to the worker's children. Of course, Social Security is only one of many important matters to be considered this year. The respective candidates have covered them all in one form or other for months. As informed citizens you should recognize them as serious matters to be considered at decision time:

• Education
• Taxes
• Defense and Veterans Issues
• Medicare and Prescription Drugs
• Agriculture
• Technology and the new Economy
• Health care and the Uninsured
• Environment and National Resources
• Campaign Finance Reform
• Abortion and Life issues
• Guns
• Immigration
• Drug Policy and Law Enforcement