Raise your hand if you're as sick of this election as little 4-year-old Abigael Evans, the Colorado girl who is "tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney." We're crying with you, Abby. This thing is out of control!
I follow the issues and appreciate an informed debate. I know that we are very lucky to live in a democracy. But... enough already! As one article points out, when this election is over, more than $2 BILLION will have been raised and spent -- on the bid for the White House alone. And I know you feel this in your very own living rooms: "According to the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks advertising in federal elections, more than 915,000 presidential ads have been aired on broadcast and national cable television since June 1 — a 44.5 per cent increase over the last election, which saw 637,000 ads aired."
I'm not even in a swing state (but we do have a hotly contested U.S. Senate race and tight races in the nearby neighboring state), and the majority of the commercials are political. By mid-October, I was begging for the Christmas ads to replace them, and that's saying something in a household where we don't play Christmas music until after Thanksgiving!
I won't even get into cringe-worthy lies and exaggerations in many of the commercials, and the ethics behind all the fundraising for the ads. Or the additional political advertising on Facebook, not to mention the awkward conversations between "friends" who are political foes. Suffice it to say, we're ready to get this election over with.
Given that there are very few undecided voters, don't you wish that there was a way to "opt out" of all the ads, say, by voting early if you're ready to commit to a candidate? Something's gotta give.
Well, just remember to make it count and cast your vote on Tuesday, and be thankful when this thing is over.
Until then, check out our tips on talking about political ads with your kids (except for Abby Evans, who is SO over this), and other 2012 election resources for parents and kids.