Elections are about rich guys taking on other rich guys.

It’s about a two-party system that controls just about everything and is incredibly unresponsive to people. They pay attention to LOBBYISTS, but they pretend to need us (the voters) for a short period of time.

It’s rich guys bashing other rich guys for being… well… rich.

It’s a lot of money being thrown around to vomit out half-truths in commercials.

It’s about which party you want to create a new system of gridlock in Washington while they fake being “bi-partisan” in an election.

And yet… I vote. I have not missed an election cycle. Ever. And in the last 16 years that’s been in a city where my vote is essentially a throw away vote. My guys generally get beat badly every time.

I have watched completely uninformed people vote. I have watched a lot of really stupid things over my lifetime of voting.

In my state I have lived through a former SNL writer and comedian getting elected to senate (and possibly re-elected) as well as a former pro wrestler getting elected governor. And this in a state where we boast the highest voter turnout in about any election… and brag about our “intelligent” voters.

I just can’t help but laugh at times.

But I have not missed an election cycle. I even vote in city elections when it’s basically the dog catcher vote we’re “considering.”

I vote because it is my right. It is my incredible privilege as an American. It’s a messed up system, but it is still a system where I have a right to say what I want when I want… and I have been given that privilege because of the democracy in which we live.

When I vote I am thankful for all who have gone before me. Those who made this country possible, and STILL make this country possible. I was brought up to be thankful for this country, and I am deeply thankful in spite of its flaws.

When I see a politician who will actually stop and pay attention to me (and that’s more rare) I STILL shake their hand (even if I think they’ve done a lousy job) and say, “THANK YOU for serving,” because I mean it. They take the time to serve the people… or lobbyists… but they are elected to do a job and I want to acknowledge they are doing something significant and worth saying “THANKS” about. It may not be their particular stance I’m thrilled about, but I admire what they give themselves to do.

It’s still a great country. It’s still a worthwhile system. I don’t even want to compare it with something like, “Well, at least we’re not ________________________.”

We are the United States of America and we get to go to a poll and vote. And THAT is a great privilege.

And when I complain, I have been given that privilege because of the system we exercise today. It is also a time to remind those we vote on that THEY have a tremendous opportunity for good. It would be nice if they would RETURN to that good and give up the gridlock and hardline ideology.

I want to vote and know that those winning these elections will take CARE with the tremendous privilege THEY have been granted. To SERVE. To LISTEN.

They may not respond… again… but thank God I get to say that!

So, please… go vote. Find the major candidates in your area on the web and at least get an idea of the major election issues and head to the polls today.

You have a great privilege. Exercise it. Don’t abuse it.