A few years ago I would not have dreamed that I would ever urge people to vote in a certain way. Always my mantra was, “Vote — it doesn’t make a difference who, but make your voice heard at the ballot box.”

But those days are over. Now I would urge all those who read this to vote, but to vote Republican. This is not who I was, for my votes down through the years have been all over the map. My first ballot was cast in the 1964 election, the one where Lyndon Johnson was pitted against Barry Goldwater. (Full disclosure — I voted for Goldwater, and subsequent history proved me right, as Johnson’s policies mired us in war abroad and turmoil at home.) Since then Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians (but no socialists!) have earned my vote.

This year, however, is different. Americans are now enjoying an economy not seen in decades. GDP is well over 3% and approaching 4% for the year. The stock market has risen dramatically since Donald Trump was elected. Our unemployment rate is the lowest since 1969, with African-American and Hispanic unemployment at record lows. Women are participating in the workforce at record levels. It has been over a decade since real wage growth has been this good.

Jobs now exceed the available labor supply. Manufacturing is making a resurgence, and we are now producing more energy than any other world nation. Consumer confidence and business confidence are at record highs. Regulations that have stifled innovation and business creation have been rescinded and more small businesses have sprung up. Much more could be said, but we have not had it this good in several decades.

Yet in this election, the Democrats seek to take back the reins of power. As of now, it seems the Senate will remain in Republican hands, but the conventional wisdom is that the House will flip to the Democrats. And what is their plan to push the economy forward? Here are a few of the stated goals of Democratic candidates if Nancy Pelosi becomes Speaker of the House come January.

Several candidates have claimed they will repeal the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed without any Democratic votes in 2017. For millions of Americans, us included, this will mean a return to higher taxes. In addition, the lowering of the corporate tax rate under that bill will also be reversed, according to Democratic plans. That feature of the Tax Cuts prompted businesses to expand their workforce, build new plants and even give bonuses to loyal employees.

Democratic candidates for office also claim they will reverse President Trump’s policy of deregulation, leading again to policies which stifle job creation. Use of public lands will again be restricted, as they had been under the previous Democratic administration.

Perhaps one of the continuing claims of what will be done if the House turns blue after January is the issue of impeachment. Unable to stop the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to be an Associate Justice to the Supreme Court, several candidates for Democratic seats vow to begin impeachment proceedings against him. Without any evidence produced during the confirmation hearings, they will fail, but will stir up the American public once again.

Also on the agenda if the House becomes Democratic is the impeachment of President Trump. Beginning before he was even inaugurated, several Congressmen and Congresswomen have continued the drumbeat for ousting Trump. Although much has been charged against him, both politically and personally, nothing seems to rise to the level of “high crimes and misdemeanors”, which is the basis for such action. All it will do is to further divide the country and inflame passions all the more.

One of the few policy proposals of many Democratic candidates is the overhaul of our health care system, with an aim to making it “Medicare for all,” a single payer system of health care. Even left of center studies have shown that this would cost much more than we are paying now, but such politicians who espouse this plan claim we would just have to raise taxes. That means on everybody, from lower class to the rich.

While some have claimed that this election is “the most important election in our lifetime (hyperbole),” it is true that November 6 is critical to keeping our nation on the upward trajectory President Trump and the Republicans have placed us on.

Once again, I do implore you to vote. This is the most important civic duty that you or I have. Just remember, though — VOTE REPUBLICAN!