by Daniel "Tanz" Lattanzio, staff writer

Hello everyone! Well, we have a week to go before the next leader of the Free World is decided. Notice I never said “before we decide the next leader,” but I’ll get back to that.

Celebrities and networks are urging people to go out and vote. “Vote for anything,” some say, “just as long as you vote.” Yes, because voting for a slice of cheese for Senate, however qualified, isn’t a waste of a vote. Personally, I say “Fuck it! I’ll vote if I want to!”

Now, before anyone bitches that voting is a right that our forefathers and soldiers have died for, please allow me to exercise another of my rights, which is Free Speech. I do appreciate the sacrifices, but hear me out.

Voting is NOT mandatory, but it is a right we’re given to take if we so choose. I’ve never considered not voting before in my life. This year is the first time I may choose not to decide. Why? Because I really dislike Bush, pure and simple. I can’t say how much I dislike him, because I REALLY don’t want to be introduced to Secret Service agents at my door – they usually drop by unannounced and NEVER bring cake and soda. I will say that I think he is a piss-poor leader who is only benefiting from the Iraq conflict and has screwed the economy like a cheap whore. And don’t give me the line about the economy tanking being a result of the Clinton era; Bush hasn’t exactly fixed the issue – he’s only made it worse. But, I’ll leave the Bush analysis to the pundits and political commentators; they get paid to do that.

“Why not vote for Kerry, then?” you may ask. Well, I have a personal belief that I shouldn’t vote for someone just because I dislike the other candidate; I refuse to vote for anyone by default. After watching the debates, I have warmed up to him a little, but there is something to him I still don’t trust. I really can’t put my finger on it, though. I know that is not a smart way to vote either, but I am superstitious enough to rely on my hunches from time to time.

However, the infamous “flip-flops” don’t bother me – they actually endear me to Kerry a bit more. You’re telling me you’ve never changed your mind about anything? Besides, the way bills and such have riders added on to them, I’m not surprised he changes his mind. I’d like to have seen Bush back down a few times and admit, maybe, he didn’t do the right thing. Bush’s “stick-to-itiveness” scares me.

But wouldn’t be funny if Kerry did win? Wouldn’t we have the first African-American First Lady? Think about it…

Anyway, I could vote Libertarian, as I have done in the past. It’d still be a vote against Bush, right? There’s always Nader and the Green Party, as well. But, I’m getting off my point…

I really dislike this mentality that everyone MUST vote. I highly disagree with it, and think that refusing to vote can be used as a peaceful way of protesting. Protesting what, you ask; how about the fact that none of our choices are all that great.

I’m not saying I won’t vote at all, but I’m seriously considering leaving the Presidential ballot unchecked. Besides, didn’t Florida teach us how much our votes are worth back in 2000? The only rule I’d have is that if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain about the result. That sounds fair, right? In fact, if you extend that thought to its next logical conclusion, then shouldn’t anyone who voted for the winner also be held accountable for any of his screw-ups and blunders? No…that would allude to the idea that voters actually held any real power. And, if the Patriot Act has taught us anything, the current administration is interested in making sure we have fewer rights and giving them far too much power. Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s someone at my door…