Presidential Election Years Stink

In case you didn't know, I study politics. While I do not consider myself to be a full-fledge political scientist with a specialization in American politics, I do know a great deal more than the average American about politics and elections. I also know that election years tend to bring out the worst in people. As I have reflected back on the past 12 months leading up to this election year I have decided to compile a list of things I find REALLY annoying. I don't care if you agree with them or not because you don't write or have to read this blog.

1) Democrats and Republicans are equally dumb parties. With only a two-party system there is limited choice in spectrum of economic v. social values that can be represented. This means that every candidate, including even the more moderate varieties in each party, stinks. Polarization, whether electorate or parties, only compounds this problem.

2) Being an unaffiliated/independent registered voter in a swing state is not as glamorous as you think. While nationally my vote may matter more, there are host of plagues associated with this privilege. I get between 4-10 phone calls a day from political pollsters, campaign offices, and interest groups. These calls come as early a 9 am and as late at 9 pm. So far, only the RNC and Planned Parenthood have left messages. Planned Parenthood, however, invited me to listen in during a phone forum. I also get a crap ton of visitors to my door and mailers. Some of my favorite mailers use generic language to play on my emotions. Such language includes hurts the middle class, small businesses, etc. In addition to the above, I also get to view 15-20 political commercials during a 30 minute broadcast and have traffic snarled because of Presidential visits. Almost 90% of these commercials are negative.

3) Everyone is suddenly a political expert and believe their 2-cents matters during presidential election years.

4) Related to point 3, when said experts find out you study political science, they want to hold a debate or have a long conversation with you. I try to avoid such conversations by saying that elections is not my area and walking away.

5) Also related to point 3, Facebook is not the place to air your political grievances or act like an ass. I always find it amusing to find Facebook friends (many who I have not seen or heard from in years) that celebrate getting rid of a friend because he (or she) posted some hateful comment on Democrats (or Republicans). What makes this even more amusing is when these political friend deleters later claim to have an open mind. Really? Don't be such an idiot.

6) I get irked that mid-year elections never get this much attention or turn-out.

7) I find political commentators and experts on news programs annoying and dumb. Where did these people come from? I'm not talking about the regulars here. I'm talking about the C-list individuals that suddenly pop up on both national and local stations. Most of the time I never hear any credentials as to why I should listen to anything they have to say. I only further get irked when they smirk after they think they've made some profound insight. Ugh....just go away and let me make up my own mind.