Can I vote for nobody?

It has become the question to ask this week, from family, friends, and strangers.

“Who are you voting for?”

Do you like this one? Do you trust that one? Is he serious about that promise? I know politics is a blood sport here in Massachusetts. Right up there with revenge, and bitching about sports. I should be able to get up a little bit of interest, maybe not the blood boil level of my past, but something, anything? But I can't not a whiff of anger, not a hint of interest. Not over the can dates, not even to vote for the lesser of four evils.

I have read the web pages, reviewed the platforms, watched the debates. The only emotion any of them brings to mind is boredom. Is this the best Massachusetts can do. In this entire state, home of the first blow for freedom from England. The bluest of the blue states, this is the best we can do!

My lack of excitement is growing. Not being able to get it up for the top of the ticket, I don't even know who is asking to be the lieutenant to the dullard in chief. Who supports what, who is angeling to be appointed governor when the next person bolts out of state to obtain a nation office, or the promise of one.

My lack of interest has spread. What else are we voting on, I don't know. I have not even cracked the first page of the 'sample ballot' I received in the mail today. I have not tossed it into the recycling bin yet, I hope I'll be able to read it soon. But just looking at the light blue cover makes me want to fall asleep. To dream of the days when politics meant something to me. When I happily worked the phone banks, when I would lick envelopes all day. Today I don't wish those days would return for me, but at least enough interest to vote.

I know the issues, I read both papers, peruse the web, read the blogs. But no one can spark my interest. Not the ballot questions, not the local races, not the has-beens looking for new posts, where they will mostly plan and scheme to get back their old posts. Nothing.

I'm a depressed, in general no, about the path this country is taking yes. But what will my one vote do to correct that? Will my vote matter on the national stage, not really. Will my vote matter here at home, a little, in the city maybe, but state wide, no. The small great conspiracy voice in withing says the race is going to be fixed any way. As was done the last three times, the person who owns the voting machines, will decide the winner of the election. Not me, not my vote. Not any more.

I know I should vote, I know I need to vote, I know I will vote. But not with enthuseum, not this time.