Stop it, already! Cut the candidate dance!

I’m a news junkie, reading everything, listening to radio news and talk, and even taking in some television, although much is a waste of time.

Elections are important – and this one, exceptionally so. There’s a lot riding on the outcome. This country, indeed, the world, is on the verge of … something. And I don’t think it’s good.

Remember the Chinese curse? “May you live in interesting times.” If those are the terms, then we’re cursed. What’s transpiring on this planet has overtones of change, difficulties and tragedy.

It’s not too dramatic to say our future is in the balance. Whichever way the presidential election turns out, our path will have been chosen. We may not like the result.

So how do I feel about the campaign?

OK, I’ll say it.

I’M SICK OF IT! BORED! TIRED!

I’M SICK OF THE CAMPAIGNING, and we still have a week to go. When was the last time you’ve heard anything new? You could send a tape of one speech across the country and never miss anything. Think of the money they could save!

And we wouldn’t have to see those self-important reporters, who hope their sterling coverage of the campaign will lead them, someday, to the coveted anchor chair – that is, if Dan, Tom or Peter ever retire.

I’M SICK OF THE CANDIDATE DANCE – two men never challenging each other directly about critical issues. When have you heard any bold statements about what needs to be done, why and how? It’s easier just to criticize.

The debates were a farce with unrelated non-answers to mostly insipid questions by reporters who clearly relished being part of “history.” Too bad they put that before their duty to the country to elicit key information from the two men who want to lead us for the next four years at a time of war. We are at war.

Why not a “no holds barred” debate? Ask a key question and let ’em go! We might actually get some unrehearsed answers. It would force both men to get to the red meat of their goals for this country. Our future isat stake.

Quick – in one sentence: What’s the core issue of either candidate? They’re so busy sniping at each other and pandering to special-interest groups (hunters, elderly, unions, the poor, teachers, kids, women, sick people – take your pick) that there’s no clarity of what either man considers most critical. George Bush comes closest. At least he states without equivocation that the war on terror is key and says what he’ll do.

John Kerry’s position seems to be only to criticize everything, as though there’s nothing good about this country. He says he has plan after plan after plan to change everything President Bush has ever done. What are his plans? He can’t take the time to tell us – saying, check his website or read his book.

John. Stop that!

I’M SICK OF THE MEDIA SPIN, with events manipulated to suit their biases. You get the liberal side and the conservative side. What happened to the thinking side? What happened to truth?

I’M SICK OF THE ASTONISHINGLY BIASED print media, treating Americans like a herd of cattle to be rounded up and led to … to … (dare I say it?) … slaughter. Given the beheadings, that’s a little more apropos than I like.

This isn’t campaigning, it’s a year-long “p—ing contest” between two rich, white guys trying to one-up one another, enabled by the media, which only criticize on cosmetic issues.

We’re inundated with lies and figures. One side throws out a “fact,” the other side staunchly denies it and counters with another. The media neither corrects nor refutes.

It’s political kabuki. The candidates play to each other, to their handlers, and to the media. But we the people are left out. We’re at the mercy of the spin by handlers and the media.

No one hides it. They have no shame.

We have the Kerry interpretation and the Bush interpretation. Which is right? No one cares.

Well, sorry gang. I care. And I’m not alone. Millions of Americans see our problems, and they’re not stupid. They know they’re being had by pols who control the game and the media who want to call the outcome.

They might succeed. We’re told Democrats have thousands, (thousands?)of lawyers, ready to challenge precincts across the country.

Voting procedures have been jiggered so people are voting two weeks before Election Day. Not absentee voting – just walking in and voting. Why?

There’s been a massive push for absentee voting. Yeah, I trust the Post Office with my ballot.

Motor-voter registration means anyone can register. Are you who you say you are? Gee, are you a resident of this state, county, town, precinct? Gosh, are you even a citizen? Hey, are you in this country legally?

No one knows and no one wants to. It’s illegal to ask.

Thousands are registered in more than one state and can vote twice, or more.

Provisional ballots let you vote even if you aren’t in the book at the precinct. Supposedly, after you’re checked out, your vote will be counted. Uh-huh.

Two weeks before the election, we’re inundated with instances of illegal registration.

The good guys trust the system and the bad guys have it rigged. And you thought our problem was terrorism.