Does it really matter who you vote for? Is a particular candidate really going to change things so drastically it affects our daily lives? Probably not.

Unless you’re living under a rock, or possibly downtown, you’ve noticed lately that much has been made of political issues and the ever-entertaining campaign.

University students have filled the pages of the editorial section with their die-hard, absolute beliefs on the subject.

According to the media, John McCain’s a maverick, Sarah Palin’s a bulldog, Barack Obama’s inexperienced, and Joe Biden steadily keeps a foot in his mouth. Whatever!

The big question is – who are you voting for? Or better yet, who will America choose to initiate “change” and “reform?” Who will be the great innovator to bring America out of the depths of darkness and into the light of greatness – as if we weren’t already there?

The only issue I see that possibly will make any difference is the war, with respect to soldier deaths and potential terrorist attacks.

But with a Congress so eager to prove its unworthiness, I question any real improvement in the war effort.

Let’s face it – politicians are not real people. They are completely incapable of holding a real conversation or honestly answering a single question.

They’re all phonies and crooks. These days, the moment a person steps into the political arena, they cease to be accountable.

Campaigns are simply grown-up games to say the cutest, wittiest, most hypnotizing things simply to gain a vote. Then, once in office, nothing changes. The system is too bureaucratic and stagnant for any real change to happen. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

That’s your call. But as far as I can remember, the opportunity to eat well, make money and live a happy life has always been an attainable possibility.

In that light, I don’t much care who’s in office.

Most college kids are so eager to get involved with political affairs and try to save the world because they’ve finally got a hint of knowledge and a sense of independence. But is parading for Obama or McCain really going to make change? In a historical sense, maybe. In a present day reality, I doubt it.

In fact, I may exercise my right not to vote. It’s like choosing who will fix my dinner – Martha Stewart or Rachael Ray? Both have all the answers and the know-how, but neither one is actually going to cook my dinner any time soon.

Maybe I’m jaded. Maybe I’m disenchanted. But I’m positive everyone else has strong feelings about this issue, which is great.

But what happiness ever came from spending your life fighting a losing battle?

Perhaps spending your time downtown rather than watching CNN or FOX News is truly a blessing. Ignorance is bliss, and the blind have been blessed with security.

- Jay Graham is a junior from Sautee, majoring in magazines.