Is it over?

I hate election years. The incessant badgering by the media of all things political is hard to stomach, not to mention the ads. This year, of course, has been worse than normal, given it started like, what, at least a YEAR ago?! I really do not support either major candidate. I had planned to vote for Bob Barr or some other random 3rd party candidate, basically because the ballots don't have an 'abstain' option. However, the more I learn about Sarah Palin, the more scared (really petrified may be a better word) I am at the possibility of her having anything to do with the future path of the United States. For a successful woman, her lack of support for all things woman's rights related is really just bizarre to me. Maybe that's why she got picked, she's all for the 'barefoot and pregnant' way of life most stodgy old men support. Her extreme religious beliefs rank a close second (though I am judging based on the Church she attends, since as best I can tell she really hasn't told anyone anywhere what she herself ACTUALLY stands for on most topics). The most recent 'Are you serious?!' is the concessions for the VP debate (article here).

At the insistence of the McCain campaign, the Oct. 2 debate between the Republican nominee for vice president, Gov. Sarah Palin, and her Democratic rival, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., will have shorter question-and-answer segments than those for the presidential nominees, the advisers said. There will also be much less opportunity for free-wheeling, direct exchanges between the running mates.

McCain advisers said they had been concerned that a loose format could leave Ms. Palin, a relatively inexperienced debater, at a disadvantage and largely on the defensive.

I am saddened to come to the realization that now I'll most likely end up casting a vote for Obama. Sad, because voting is not meant to be the lesser of two evils or voting AGAINST a candidate.

How is it that in 1992 Ross Perot could get 18% of the popular vote, but in the last 16 years no one has been able to put together enough $$ to make a decent go of a real 3rd party? Or perhaps more importantly, how have all the disenchanted voters (I know I'm not the only one!) been scared enough into believing you are essentially 'wasting' your vote by voting for anyone other than a Democrat or Republican?

I think I'd like to crawl under a rock and not come out until 2013. Somehow those 'crazy' people who build their own off the grid compounds are looking a lot more sane. . . .

Knitting is apparently not even a non-partisan hobby anymore, seeing the explosion of politics on Ravelry. While I can't hide until 2013, I'm really thinking about turning off the TV/computer/radio until December.