Regardless of one’s precise political peccadilloes, most of us agree this is one of the most important elections of our lifetime. However, one gets the feeling the Romney campaign, and even the RNC, either aren’t aware of the stakes or, perhaps, just not sure of the best way to convey those stakes to the electorate. But there’s a simple way to make sure the upcoming Republican convention in Tampa acts as a constant reminder of the stakes.

Political conventions are essentially one long Zig Ziglar self-help seminar, with a bit of the “Sham Wow” guy thrown in. You want to energize the base, while simultaneously helping to sell the soap. I get it. Far be it for me to suggest they change any of that. But, this time around, amid all the usual glad-handing and self-congratulation on the stage, they should feature a constant reminder of the kind of trouble we’re all in.