Tomorrow We Vote, Wednesday We Blister

"Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters" - Abraham Lincoln

To vote, or not to vote? Do we face the fire, or turn away from it?

It would seem that there aren't many who actually wrestle with that question. Most come down on one side or the other and live comfortably with their decision. There are a few I know who vote sporadically, but they would seem to be the exception. We are either the type to face the fire or we are not. The fact is we all pay for our decision with blisters.

This election season seems to be one that has challenged the sensibilities of those that always vote, those that seldom vote and even those that never vote. Our short attention spans, and love of the electronic media have combined to create a monster. That monster has dominated the media for almost two years.

Who is more evil, John Tierney or Richard Tisei? That seems to be the primary concern in the 6th district. Listening to each side assail the other over honesty, ethics and family connections has become stale, repetitive and not even close to amusing. Gambling, taxes, left wing bias and right wing extremism seem to be all the rage. The libertarian candidate Daniel Fishman has not raged at all, but has added some substance to the race.

The real issue here is simple. Which of these guys do you trust to work best in what is almost sure to be a Republican congress? The difference between the two is truly not all that discernible.

The Scott Brown man of the people schtick and the Elizabeth Warren fight against the millionaires  (hello pot this is the kettle) and billionaires wore thin with me very early. Neither is exactly what they present themselves to be. Pick-up trucks and humble Oklahoma roots do not interest me at all.

Is Brown a product of his own intellect or that of his handlers? Is Warren too much of an intellect to be effective? Trust is a big word that again seems to be in play.

The big show on the big stage is just as tiring. Romney is a business man who has had some success, that's great. He was a good governor when he was here, that's good to know.  President Obama is all about hope, change and juvenile debate one liners, wonderful. He let the Special Operations troops do their job in Pakistan last May, fantastic.

Which of the two is truly capable of making the correct decisions to stimulate and direct the economy? A strong American economy will always help to drive effective foreign policy. Which one will work best with a recalcitrant Congress?

We the people have listened to more than a year of electoral nonsense. Primaries, conventions and the general election have been endured. That is fortunate for us because if you are like me tolerance has just about been exhausted.

Tomorrow some of us will vote and some of us will not. I've made up my mind and look forward to standing at the ballot and voting in my eighth presidential election.

It will then be time for all of us to sit on our blisters.