All I Ask Is That You Think

This is not a political blog, it's a slightly crazed mommy/sort-of-professional chick blog that's supposed to be entertaining, fun to read, and reflective of my occasionally skewed sense of humor (my favorite movies include this, that and definitely this - and this guy is one of my all-time favorite comedians. Told ya - smidge skewed. Possibly even closing in on sick puppy status.)

To that end, all I'm going to say about the upcoming election - other than "Lawd have mercy, please make it end soon" - is think.

Think for yourself. Do your own research. Don't be spoon-fed. Be skeptical. Don't take exhaustively-media-trained candidates at their scripted and practiced word. Actively search for the truth. Search your brain and your heart to find out what's most important to you, then make a decision about all the candidates and issues at every level based on what you learn about the candidates/issues and yourself.

To help with your research, here are a few factual, nonpartisan Web sites - toss the drivel both parties are churning out and check these out:

• VoteHelp, where you answer questions about your thoughts on big issues as well as their importance to you, and the results show you which presidential candidate most closely aligns with your positions.
• Election Taxes, where you can enter your personal 2008 tax information and get an estimate of your 2009-12 taxes under each presidential candidate's proposed tax plan
• the Library of Congress, where you can easily check the bills sponsored by, as well as the roll call votes, of both presidential candidates along with your state's senators and representatives. You can also review the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. You've probably spent years listening to what others tell you is in these documents. Isn't it about time you read for yourself the documents that comprise the very foundation of our country?

Once election day rolls around, Tweet about your experience at the voting booth, especially line length, wait times and any problems, to the Twitter Vote Report.

Whatever you do, just vote. Please vote. Many good people died to give you the right to vote. Many more people around the world are living in countries where this fundamental freedom is nonexistent. And many others are fighting and dying right now to gain the right we shrug off so casually. Respect their sacrifices, respect this country, and respect your freedom enough to vote on Nov. 4.