election 2010: tuning out

Here we are, just days before the Midterm elections and I’m fighting the urge to tune out.  Yep, I’ve had it.

People who know me well, know that I love politics and debate about policy, etc.  I’ve been active in political campaigns both local and national…worked tirelessly up until the last vote was counted…but this year I’m definitely feeling the effect of what may go down in history as the most contentius of election seasons.  If you doubt it, listen to NPR’s story that aired this morning on the relative truth of this year’s political ads.

The endless negative ads, the robo calls at all hours, the tsunami of fundraising emails have worn me down.  And if you listen closely to the campaign rhetoric and the media accounts of this election cycle, you’d think we should rename our country “The Divided States of America.”

I’ll be traveling on election day so I’ve already cast my absentee ballot…which was a nightmare in and of itself for a number of reasons.  But I’ll spare you the details.  So I’m essentially done.  Maybe a few last “get out the vote” calls, but no more contributions, no more attention to untrue political ads.  It’s over.

I hope that when all is said and done that, as a country, we’ll pause and take a slow, deep breath and stop to consider how extreme this election cycle has been and its true effects – beyond that of simply getting any one candidate elected over another.   How many votes will be cast on Tuesday based on a candidate’s actual stand on public policy? 

State and national political parties, and candidates in 2012 – you’re on notice: I, for one, expect better from you next time around.  Our democratic process has been on shaky ground since the 2000 presidential election and this year has seen the worst.  Clean up your act – the American people deserve…and expect better!