Skokie, Illinois – 7:55 Am – Cell phone rings, I stumble with my daughter’s half made lunch in one hand and hair brush in the other. Who could be calling this early on a school day from Callingpost Services? I assume it must be my children’s school. “Hello?” I answer nervous that there must be a flood, electricity is out, something super-important. “Hi, This is Ira Silverstein and blah blah vote for Pat Quinn blah blah.” This was probably my 30th phone call this week, first this early and first on my cell phone and now I’m pissed.

I realize that it is within the rights of the candidates running for election to be bothered daily with annoying phone calls, mail and other propaganda (even a few door knockers) to try and solicit votes. However, as a voter it is both bothersome and counterproductive.

Take for example, one Daniel Biss. Two years ago I received a knock on my front door. Anyone who knows me knows I never use that door, so I knew from the get-go this was a solicitor of some sort. When I answered I was greeted by a large-headed smiley man who talked himself up and specifically mentioned his passion for children’s education and all things green. I took his paperwork and shut the door. Fast forward to the last sixty days when I pull out my mail from the box to find yet another flyer with his face plastered on the front. Green he may be, but he is sure cluttering up my garbage!

Then we could talk about Mr. Giannoulias. I have received four phone calls in the last two weeks reminding me to get out and vote for him. To counteract that I have received probably 8 or so from his competitor Mark Kirk specifically stating how awful Mr. Giannoulias is. In my book, they are both annoying, dinner interrupting jerks.

So, this year I am doing something extremely controversial. I am exercising my right to NOT vote. Yes, you heard me – NOT vote. I haven’t really followed the issues of these men and women running because the media, the mail and the phone calls have beaten me down. I want to protest the propaganda and my message to all the candidates is to let the Americans find the information where they want. Don’t shove it down out throats with a paper trail a mile high in my garbage can and phone calls waking my baby from her nap (THREE TIMES!).

Good luck all you candidates and voters out there – I hope the best person for the job wins. I also hope that person is the most quiet on propaganda but loud on representing the issues.
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