By TOM HONIG
I'm on my way to vote, and figure that Election Day is as good a time as any to rejuvenate this oft-moribund blog.
After a quick check of Twitter and Facebook, I figure I might be one of the few who have no interest whatsoever in urging others to vote my way -- or even share with anyone how I'm going to vote. And that definitely includes those sincere people who phone me up to ask who I'm voting for, or supporting, or even if I'm going to vote.
Last I checked, the secret ballot is one of the cornerstones of the American electoral system. And there are a minority of us who guard that right.
The great irony of a presidential election is that people turn out more than they do for any local or state election -- even though it's the local officeholders who affect their life more than a president does. There are people who are passionate about the presidential race who couldn't tell you who their county supervisor is -- or even which district they reside in.
When it comes to the presidential race, it's that very heightened interest that's actually horribly depressing. Unless we voters choose a meaningless protest vote for a third-party candidate, we're forced to choose between two men who have spent millions of dollars to either attack their opponent or regurgitate well-rehearsed talking points.
There have been few words of inspiration -- or even leadership -- spoken by either gentleman who has been running. I really would have liked to hear a word or two calling the voter to higher purpose. Are we voters so selfish that neither candidate can afford to discuss duty, sacrifice or even commitment? Nope. It's all about how bad the other guy is.
And that's why I'm a reluctant voter. And a discouraged one.
Let's just hope that whoever wins will govern better than he campaigned.
