Well, we've all now come through two weeks of bombardment by political rhetoric, first from one side and then from the other — with the prospect of much more to come over the next two months.

And maybe, like lots of us, you've also been bombarded by email appeals for money from the candidates and their supporters.

I want to take a minute now for an appeal of a different sort.

No matter who wins this November, it's going to be critical to hold them to account, to make sure they keep the promises they're making, to point out when they don't, to ensure that none of us loses sight of the people who are affected by the decisions made by whoever is president come Jan. 21.

That's where ProPublica comes in. For more than four years now, under a Republican and then a Democratic president, we've published high-impact accountability journalism. We've called out our leaders when they came up short, without fear or favor — and especially this year, we've pointed out deep flaws in the system through which we choose these leaders.

We'll continue to do that over the next two months, and in the years to come. But it costs money, and for that we need your help. Please join us by donating today. No matter how the election comes out, the need for investigative journalism in the public interest has never been greater. Make your gift by clicking here.

Thank you.