On this the eve of the 2010 midterm elections, I wanted to offer some words to those in this readership. First, if for any reason you did not get a chance to vote early, please plan to vote on Tuesday. Your vote matters.

This election cycle you should have seen very clear lines between candidates, and parties. I think the differences were very clear. There have been many forums, debates and panels. Very rarely, if ever, did you see two candidates for the same position, from opposite parties, stand next to each other and agree on real policy issues. In some cases, incumbents, home from Washington, would shy away from votes they had indeed cast. The ever present, "I was for it before I was against it."

ObamaCare has been a huge issue this cycle, at all levels of races. As the light has started to shine on the early implementing facets of the overly complicated health care takeover, the more people dislike what they see, and even further dislike those who forced it on them. The ultimate goal of health care should be to provide more choices, with less cost, and greater care. ObamaCare does not deliver on any of those things. Our state Attorney General has rightly joined joined challenges to ObamaCare, we must be prepared to send leaders to Austin to help him be a factor. As many have said before, so goes Texas, so goes the nation. We will lead the way against ObamaCare, and see if the nation follows.

Property Taxes as an issue came to me late in my campaign. Of course I was aware of them, but until I heard people list it at their front door as a top priority, I had no idea so many people wanted true reform. After research and meetings, I came out for the full elimination of property taxes. Texas has among the most burdensome property tax rates in all of the country. About 17% of the average mortgage payment goes directly for property taxes. This tax rate negatively affects home ownership, in which Texas is ranked 45th in the country.

The elimination of property taxes would ultimately lead to an overhaul of the states education system, especially the funding mechanism. I have advocated for years the concept of parental choice in education via any number of possible routes, though I prefer opportunity scholarships. My ultimate aim is not to end the public school system, but to improve it by making schools and teachers compete for the right to have classrooms full of kids, waiting to be educated. Every year that we do not make dramatic, positive improvement in the first few years of a child's education, the greater the chance we fail yet another generation of kids.

The victories on Tuesday will not be for individuals or parties, nor lobbyists or insiders. The victories will be a message from the voters of America, that the status quo is no longer acceptable. The voters of America will render a verdict about the way we go forward, and the way we approach the future. Will we look for those who bring new thinking and new solutions, or will we look backward and want to pursue the same policies and approaches that lead us to the brink?

So, this is my "last call", there will probably be others. If you're in the southwest part of Harris County, I invite you to take a look at my campaign and consider voting for me. If you're not in my district and you have some time to spare on Tuesday, I could certainly use your help. Mine is the smallest state rep district in Texas, and we only have 17 polling places on election day. There are over 20 dialects spoken in my district, so if you are good at any of them, I could surely use your help on Tuesday.

On to victory.

Sylvia Spivey, candidate, Texas House District 137

Website: SylviaSpivey.com

Twitter: SylviaSpivey137