Voting...
So, I have two simple rules when it comes to voting. First, do it drunk - it seems more meaningful if you have something to take the edge off - and second, don't ever vote "against" anyone. Make sure your vote is intended to have positive consequenses on your nominee. Here's my easy-to-follow three-step process:
- If you're totally down with one of the majors, by all means vote 'em.
- Problem here: it's rare for this to happen. And this year is no exception for me. McCain's no maverick, and Obama's no messiah. +100 fail to each of them.
- If not, vote third-party. Even if they don't win (and they won't), you won't have to feel like you threw your vote away; you sacrificed it to make a point.
- Another problem here: Heartquake? Bob Barr? WTF, mate? This year sucks for the minor leagues. Even now that the Dems have adopted some of the more reasonable ideals of the Socialists, now the Socialists feel they have to out-Commie them (we'll see your redistribution of wealth, and raise you government-mandated incomes).
- On the rare occurrence that you get to step three, vote for the guy with little or no chance of actually winning. It makes election night on CNN a little more interesting, and the losers can use your ballot as comfort while they're crying themselves to sleep on the first Tuesday after the first Monday...