Was there something outstandingly different about the issues voters faced this year that caused so much heated debate, accompanied by such a deafening roar of campaign ballyhoo it could make our heads swim?

Presidential races are always particularly contentious and often tend to drive even the best of friends and neighbors to the brink of outright hatred for one another. Other issues on the ballot drove emotions to similar heights this year.

Let’s face it, as our nation strives for economic recovery and various quality of life issues are brought into starker consideration, every election cycle becomes ever more important to most of us. Making the right choices has never felt more important, so it seems.

As the roar of the battle subsides and the dust settles, we now take stock in what we have made for ourselves and do our best to have it succeed. One side or the other on any given issue will either lick their wounds or celebrate their victories, while moving on with the business of living at the fore.

If there is one common thread that all of us can relate to equally, however, it is the overwhelming sense of being inundated with far too much information from campaigners of all persuasions. The seemingly endless onslaught of media messages, robo-calls, mailings, and – yes – even skywriting from time to time, leaves us with an overpowering urge to shout, “Enough, already!”

Information overload may be preferable to some compared to a lack of pertinent data. Whatever one’s choice, it looks as though it’s here to stay with each election season. Such is the curse – or blessing – of life in these modern times.

Whichever side one falls on, let us enjoy a little peace and quiet for a change. While it lasts, that is.