Don't ever talk about religion or what?

I've never been too obsessed with politics. I've said before that I come from a pretty conservative family and it was always pretty much beat into my head that the "right way" was the Republican way.

So when the first presidential election came along that I could vote in I voted dutifully for Bob Dole on my absentee ballot surrounded by my super liberal friends in my college apartment. The most I knew about Mr. Dole was that I felt bad for him when he fell off some stage during the campaign.

For the rest of the votes I went with the "when in doubt, vote Republican" motto that my mother had uttered so many times before. I had no CLUE what I was voting for and I can't say I cared.

I can't say I've ever really cared too much. I read a blog post not too long ago, I wish I could remember who WROTE it, but the basic idea behind it was that the election doesn't really affect our day to day lives as Americans. Whether McCain or Obama are elected, things will pretty much stay as they are for the majority of people. We'll still be able to shop at Walmart and give our dollars to the evil that lurks there. We'll still be able to drive our gas guzzling automobiles and watch porn and drink beer on Sunday.

We can get all up in arms about the issues. There are women's rights, gun control, and taxes. We can go on and on and go round and round about them all. Frankly, though, I think you're going to be pretty hard pressed to convince a pro-life person that it's your body and your choice. I doubt you're going to convince my NRA member neighbors to give up their guns.

So what's the point? Why is everyone arguing for the sake of arguing? Wouldn't it be nice if we could just see what the candidates believe without all the bias and opinion shoved down our throats? It seems like every time I turn around I've stumbled upon someone else willing to give me their opinion and sway me to vote the way they want me to.

Frankly, when someone starts talking politics usually I start hearing Charlie Brown's teacher in my ears and my eyes glaze over like I've just taken a heavy narcotic. I go to my happy place and nod and smile.

Maybe that's uneducated of me and maybe that's irresponsible of me... but it is what it is. I find that my energy is best spent elsewhere in my life. I have a family to feed and take care of and I have my own personal path that I am following. I can align myself one way or another regarding the election, but getting myself all upset arguing one way or another isn't going to amount to a hill of beans when it comes to my life or my family.

I'm pretty sure what candidate I'll be voting for in November, but I don't really think it's anyone else's business to know. This time I'm making the decision on my own and so far I feel pretty comfortable with it. Things could change between now and then and I'll do my best to make an educated vote. I hope y'all will, too.

But if not, here are some tips.