But that was during an off-year election, with mostly local offices up for grabs. And while I had read about _ and in some cases written about _ many of the candidates, I wasn’t comfortable casting a vote for people who would decide on local issues which I was only just learning about.

I subscribe to the theory that doesn’t recommend voting just for the sake of it, blindly casting one’s lot along party lines or voting based on a single issue.

At least, in theory that’s the theory to which I ascribe my voting habits. If I’m being honest, the reality is quite different.

The truth is, quite bluntly, that I think this system just isn’t cutting it anymore. Democracy may be the worst form of government except for every other form they say, but if we continue along our current trajectory, it’s the one that will lead us into oblivion.

At the local government level, the system has simply grown too cumbersome. While the vast majority of the folk who make up the school boards and village councils _ the bread and butter of American politics _ are honest, well-intentioned people, the system they try to manage has grown too complicated.

Resolutions that can stand up in court _ and isn’t that the standard used to gauge the worth of everything these days? _ are so intricate that the elected board members rarely have time to truly review the items they approve. Often they just rely on the input of consultants, paid professionals or lawyers.

I don’t mean to imply that professional input is a bad thing or that everyone paid for their advisement is sinister. But as local government agencies increasingly must rely on them and their word, it takes the decisions out of the hands of the elected officials _ and by proxy the electorate. In essence, they become rubber stamp operations with delusions of democracy.

And as for the state and federal level of government; does much more really need to be said about them?

The only candidate I’ve ever felt was honest and qualified for any office of import at that level is the one writing this column.

That’s less a gross overestimation of my own knowledge of issues and abilities than it is an indictment of the sorry state of politics today.

Is it too much to ask for a candidate who hasn’t or won’t sell out his constituents and the greater good for a slice of comfy pie? For one who will do what’s right, not what will keep him in office? For ones who won’t touch the pages or interns?

Obviously, not all of the individuals are corrupt, but corruption is endemic and is bred by the system itself. Look no further than the endless procession of pork or the piggybacking of unrelated laws on bills guaranteed to pass.

Over and over we see millions in taxpayer dollars thrown away on frivolous projects like the multi-million dollar bridge in Alaska built to service a very small number of people. And it gets worse every year as our officials become more blatant and our voters less interested.

You could make the argument that if I don’t like this system, I should get out of town and move to one of them there backwards countries like France or Canada.

But what native of his country doesn’t want to at least try and change the conditions in his homeland that he thinks are unjust or inappropriate?

Shouldn’t the people who believe their country is immensely flawed try to change things or convince others that change is needed.

I certainly think so. But I don’t think voting is the way those changes will be made. Not anymore.