I Vote We End This!

This election season can't end soon enough for me. I'm "sick and tired" of all the political ads, attempts at character assasination, negative campaigning, mud-slinging, bickering, lies, media analysis, rhetoric, candidate pamphlets filling up my mailbox, listening to recorded telephone messages, etc.

I voted by absentee ballot today. I can no longer be persuaded to jump on someone's bandwagon or change bandwagons. My vote is "locked in." I know my one voice won't make much of a difference, but I performed my civic duty. I'm still a believer in the "process." I'm well aware that some of my votes, including my vote for President, will be cancelled by my husband's vote. I'm right, though.

Here is a sampling of a few changes I'd make if I made the rules:
*Every candidate for public office would have to pass a background check.
*Every candidate for public office would have to pass an intelligence test.
*During public appearances (i.e. debates, campaign rallies), candidates would have to be hooked up to lie-detectors.
*Instant fact checks would flash on the screen during candidates' speeches.
*Citizens would decide who would "run" for public office, thus minimizing the potential for the "power hungry" to seek office.
*Voters would have to be knowledgeable about the candidates and their positions on important issues before they could vote.
*The electoral college would be abolished. Popular vote would determine the races.
*The "party system" would be eliminated. No more Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Socialists, etc. Each candidate would adopt and promote their own platform.
*I'd eliminate the swimsuit competition in "beauty" pageants.