Not this time.

No, no, not this time, it’s too important. Way too important.

I am not a fan of either one, but the other side is definitely worse, and we just have to accept that an imperfect candidate may be our only viable option this time around.

It’s just too, too important.

I will grant you that both appear to be in the thrall of Wall Street, and that a choice between a corrupt populist who lines the pockets of his friends and a party stalwart who lines the pockets of his friends is not really a choice. I truly sympathize that there is nowhere to go this time around for a person who believes in fiscal responsibility. Or social justice, or a green new deal. Or conservative values. Or progressive values,…

But we’ll all need to be patient, cause we’re not going there. Not this time. Better not to get your hopes up, because this is just too important.

By the way, it was too important last time too. And, not to pin this all on you, but if you had only listened, and did like I told you, things might have been better. The time before that, too. It was way too important the time before that and, no offense, but if it weren’t for people like you insisting on a voting for a candidate who reflects and advocates their values, we wouldn’t be in this mess.

I know what you are going to say, I have heard it all before, and so save your breath about needing a more rational nominating process that would choose candidates based on the consensus they can garner rather than this peeing contest that perennially leaves us with candidates no one actually wants. But let’s face it: IRV is for weak and indecisive people. Approval voting? Give me a break…!

And since you mentioned it, do I even have to state the obvious that it is WAY too late to be talking about systemic reform? Just like it was way too late the previous time? The time before that, of course, it was just too early.

Timing is everything.

And by the way, if you do end up doing the irresponsible thing and vote for the person you think is best it’s gonna be your fault again, mark my words. If the candidate that I don’t like doesn’t eke out a victory over the other candidate that I don’t like (but even more), just like the last time, we’ll all know who let us down. So, hold on, don’t give me that line about not living in a swing state. I am putting my fingers in my ears now. Ok? WAAAAAH, WAAAAAH, WAAAAAH, I CAN’T HEEEEEAR YOU!!!

Ahhhhhhhhh, I feel muuuch better. No offense, but it’s the principle of the thing.

For my part, I am optomistic. So I am keeping my figers crossed. And in my ears. It is a challenge, but I having been doing this a long time, so I pretty much have the fingers-crossed-while-simultaneously-in-my-ears trick down cold.

I find it’s even easier if I shut my eyes at the same time.

So, whatever you do, remember: fingers in ears, eyes shut, and toes to the line.

It’s just waaaay too important.