Evolution

I have never dreaded election day more than I do this year.

Normally, come October, I have a pretty good idea of who I am voting for, and why. This year? Well, I've found myself saying a lot, "I wish all ballots had the Nevada 'None of the Above' option."

None of the Above would get my votes - at least in the "big" races. There is not a single person running for governor, senate or house that I like. There are a few local candidates I like, unfortunately, I didn't mind the people they are replacing or running against, so it will do little to lessen my absolutely amazement and frustration with the 2011 legislative session.

I could not vote. Then I wouldn't be forced to (again) choose the lesser of two (or a dozen) evils. However, I firmly believe that it then prevents me from getting to complain about the direction things take for the next two years - "if you don't vote, don't complain," was a frequent refrain in my household growing up.

I no longer identify with a political party - having dabbled in both (gasp) sides for over a decade. None of the philosophies of the minor parties jive with me enough to adopt their platform either. I never vote a straight-party ticket. I'm not a "big ticket issues" only voter, and I'm tired of everything being run by old white men. Certainly there are other (or maybe any) people who are respectable, competent, honest and talented that could run (and win) in an election - who have new thoughts, ideas, perspectives and a commitment to something other than being re-elected every couple of years.

It's probably not much different than anyone else in the U.S., except I've long been politically active in some way, shape or form - even before I was old enough to vote. For years, it was exciting, thrilling, and I had the ideological hope of someone who refuses to see anything but what could be. For years I love politics - loved the process, the issues, the ideological exchange.

And now all I see is what is - an unread voter education booklet on my dining room table, an empty sample ballot and a confused thirtysomething who is pretty certain she doesn't agree with most of the prominent rhetoric from either side, and is worried we're too wrapped up in politics and 30-second soundbites that rarely pass objective fact-checking, to focus on fixing things for the greater good.

It is terrible, but the motivating factor in getting me out to the polls in two weeks?
Woodstock loves to see the fire trucks - and I vote at a fire station.

*Sigh*