As an old newspaper guy, election day always brings back memories of late nights in the newsroom, waiting for results to come in so we could get them into the morning paper. Old habits die hard—I found myself up in the wee hours this past Wednesday morning, waiting for the results, though now from the comfy confines of my den!

Over the years, elections have changed dramatically. This cycle has been one of the most protracted in recent memory, with billions of dollars poured into advertising aimed at voters like you and me. Robo-calls, digital ads, billboards, emails, spam texts—every conceivable avenue was used to shape how we might vote.

As a fan of democracy, I’m grateful to live in a country where candidates must earn our votes. But I can’t help but wonder: what if even a fraction of those billions were redirected to help struggling Americans who are simply trying to make ends meet?

Back in 1992, Bill Clinton’s strategist James Carville coined the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.” And here we are, decades later, still feeling the same economic pressures. One video from this election season sticks with me: a mother shared how, despite her husband’s decent income, one unplanned medical bill had pushed their family from stability into crisis. Their credit cards were maxed out; they couldn’t afford to renew the tag on one of their cars, and they had started rationing bacon to their kids at breakfast. Her final words echo in my mind: “How can we keep going like this?”

Whether your candidate won or lost, I hope we can look beyond the divisions that often define us in election seasons. Let’s come together to care for those who need our help, like the mother in that video and so many ALICE families right here in Central Georgia. Families who face choices no one should have to make: Do I buy baby formula or diapers? Pay for insurance or daycare? Which meal will I skip today so my children can eat?

These heartbreaking questions aren’t from a distant, impoverished country—they’re happening in our own backyard. Let’s make a real difference. I hope you’ll choose to join us in helping these families find a path to stability.