Primary Election Day

I'm skipping it.

I've never intentionally missed a chance to vote, not one time since I came of age. But these days I just don't care.

The only people on the ballot are various contenders for Feinstein's seat, and she's a competent politician, so whatev. Various judges and county supervisors and school district officials I'll never know anything about. There might be a presidential primary, of course, but there's no point participating in that one. 'Deed, I see little point participating in the November one either. The candidates look alike to me except that Romney is a complete windsock. Obama's re-election is assured (and probably pre-determined).

The idiots that think Obama is some sort of danger to the country have annoyed me out of their camp anyway. The guy has done little more than carry forward the plans handed his handlers by his predecessor's handlers. Not that I object. Some of the plans are good. Using targeted computer viruses rather than bombs to delay Iran's plutonium enrichment program, for example (a Bush initiative, but that makes no difference). The bin Laden hit (which was more about putting the screws to Pakistan than settling a nearly-forgotten old score anyway -- and it sorta backfired in that respect but that ain't Obama's fault). The bailouts that "saved" the economy, again a Bush thing but that I opposed originally. Indeed (scratches head), what has The O done on his own? Health care reform? I know nothing about it. Something needs doing anyway so what the hell (though surely an established tort-law crony like Edwards having fled in disgrace may by itself do the system some good).

I'm getting friendlier to Democrats. I know, right? But this crusty old version of Governor Jerry Brown has impressed me with his budgetary discipline, and the aforementioned president wobbles mostly around the center.

The other day I had my sons in the car and asked if there was anything worth going to the polls for. A couple propositions is all.

A minor adjustment to term limits. I never cared about term limits. Career politicians are a problem, but so is having the field narrow down to people who can afford to interrupt their careers for a few years. Consequently we just get people whose careers are enhanced by a few years' service: Lawyers and future lobbyists (i.e. lawyers). Not that a lack of term limits helps that situation at all.

Yet another tobacco tax. I used to oppose those on some idealistic principle I can not now recall, but now, eh, go for it. It's not the proper role of government to put the hammer down on unhealthy activities that don't do massive harm to others but this tax targets only people with the habit so what the hell.

So I can't be arsed voting today. You? Why?