MY REACTION TO THE iOWA CAUCUSES: Elections are about hiring somebody, not “liking’’ them.

Here’s hoping that voters are beginning to take their vote as seriously as they take hiring a baby sitter for their child, or a mechanic for their car, or someone to fix their toilet.

Each of us as, as adults, has to make choices like these that really matter. Sure, we know that if it doesn’t work out, we can probably find someone else later. But we also know that, at best, having to do so will be stressful, and, at worst, it may be costly or even dangerous.

It matters who our president is. Our few chances to help pick that person matter.

Here’s hoping that every voter remembers that.

Ann Withorn

Brookline

The writer is professor emeritus of social policy at the University of Massachusetts Boston.