10-25-04: With a little over a week from today left before people flock to their nearest public places of gathering to vote for a new President, one must ask themselves some questions: "Why am I doing this?" "What does (insert talking head here) really have going for them?" "Will they be the right person for the job?" "Did I leave the house on fire?"

The public is told early on that they Must vote when they become of age. It is their "Duty" and "Responsibility" to vote for the Presidency. It's "Un-American" to not vote. You "Have to Choose" someone for President. That's bunk. Yes, you do have to make a choice in the coming elections. You can choose Not to vote. I know, I know. This is equivalent to heresy in today's environment but it is still a viable option regardless of its popularity.

I've always been one to say that if you vote blindly you shouldn't vote at all. This time around, I feel most folks have a better chance of voting blindly than being properly informed. I've seen more mud slung in this campaign than a bad episode of "Jerry Springer." I'm sorry to say but it only goes downhill from here. It's a fact that Florida was the place where the last election died. This time, Florida is too ravaged by Mother Nature to put up a fight. It'll be a miracle if their votes will even be cast this time around. And what do we make of the two publicized "Major Contenders?" Well I can make an airplane, a boat, or a cute little hat out of them because they are so paper thin in their issues it makes me cringe. Bush publicly bashes Kerry like so many little school children while Kerry covertly bashes Bush by effectively saying things all tongue-in-cheek. This isn't a Presidential race, it's a cheap slap fight.

Want to vote for someone other than the two major parties? Fat chance. You stand a better chance of being struck in the face by a bag of rabid weasels in the middle of Antarctica than the 70 other candidates have of getting on the ballot. That's right - SEVENTY. Take that number in for a bit. That was a quick count according to the list on the Project: Vote Smart site. Sure, you can always do a write-in but you still know next to nothing about these people. You still end up voting blindly again. 

This election, do as you please. Vote. Don't vote. Do what moves you. Just understand this: Win or lose, you still have to live with your choice for the next four years. I'm cool with my choice to stay home. Will you be as cool with yours?

Of course, that's just what I think.