To the editor:

Below is a list of 13 items reflecting some of what is at stake in the 2016 election. Voters need to keep in mind, that there is a vast difference between the two presidential candidates.

– Who will represent our American values?

– Who will appoint moderate Supreme Court Judges?

– Who will fill hundreds of vacancies of federal judges and federal appointees that the Republicans refused to fill for President Obama?

– Obamacare (ACA) could be repealed by a Republican Congress; 20 million could lose coverage.

– Medicare benefits could be limited.

– Public schools could be gradually replaced by charter schools.

– Social Security could be privatized with no future increases.

– Voting rights could be further restricted.

– Labor rights could be restricted even more with more “right to work” state laws.

– Minimum wage increases would not be elevated to a livable wage.

– Roe vs. Wade would be reversed.

– Planned Parenthood would be defunded.

– The Environmental Protection Agency would be eliminated.

Think of what this election may cost you and the many other items not mentioned here.

Joan Patterson

Lehigh Acres