Just do it

Is it Nov. 7 yet?

Election season is always a drag - for me at least. Each time it seems to stretch out longer and longer. Candidates begin campaigning earlier and earlier.

And to be perfectly honest, I'm a complete cynic when it comes to politicians. If you close your eyes, they all sound the same. Every time it's the same talking points, the same rhetoric and the same results, which usually don't amount to much. How many of us actually believe any more that when we send someone to Helena or Washington, D.C., he or she will try to do what's right for the people rather than do what's right for the next campaign?

Just look at the Jon Tester/Conrad Burns campaign. What a joke. At this point, no matter who wins, Montana loses. They've sunk to such depths that their campaigns are embarrassing.

So if Washington is a lost cause, how about Helena? In particular, we'll be selecting a man for House District 9 and Senate District 5 to represent us.

There may be some light at the end of the tunnel after all.

I've had repeated opportunities to speak with Verdell Jackson and Ric Smith (candidates for SD5) and with Bill Jones and Edd Blackler (candidates for HD9).

I even enjoyed the conversations.

Newspapers have a long history of endorsing certain candidates running for office, but the Bigfork Eagle won't be participating this year for a few reasons:

1. I have to cover them in the arena of objective journalism. To write about all the candidates in news articles and then pick favorites doesn't pass my ethical-o-meter.

2. People should do their own research and make educated decisions based on their own values.

3. Do you really care? I don't care how you vote - just vote!

All of the candidates spoke with passion about their respective offices. None of them seem to value party lines more than the will of the people.

In short, they all sound good, and they all would make worthy representatives. They all speak intelligently on a legion of topics and actually offer specific solutions to real issues Montana is facing or is about to face.

The candidates have worked long hours and spent a lot of money to court voters, and now it's up to us voters to do our part. If you don't vote, don't grumble about the outcome. Get out and vote.