The Web, newspapers, television and radio are jam packed with information. "Frankly," says my friend. "I am bored with the whole thing. I don't even feel like voting."

I nod my head and time travel back to high school, landing my thoughts in another intense election year. My U.S. History class was taught by a young and idealistic teacher. In the tension filled '60's he was a calming influence on us. He also felt it was important for the members of his class to "experience" what we were learning. He used that election as a starting point.

"OK kids, what do you think about the Presidential election?" he asked us.  

"Who cares about it?" said a voice from the back of the room.

"Neither of those guys is any good," commented another.

"At least we get the day off from school," said someone else.

The wisecracks went on and on.

"Well look", said our teacher, "maybe this election stuff is outdated. Let's figure out other ways of finding leadership for our country."

"Yeah, yeah," we all shouted. We sat upright in our seats. NOW he was talking.

"How about doing away with elections altogether?" he asked. "Lets see. How about maybe the best minds in the country choosing our leaders?"

"Good. Good." We all answered. This was one bright guy, our history teacher.

"And of course, we wouldn't need more than two or three great minds to pick the right person. Right?"

Right. Right." we echoed.

"And, naturally, we could tell those smart people if the person they choose isn't right, they can throw them out immediately and just put someone else in the job. Right?"

"Yes. Yes. Yes," we screamed back.

"And then, if that person was not good for some reason, why, those two or three smart people, they could call one of their friends and ask that person to step in. Why should the public be bothered with this nonsense? What a waste of time and money to have an election." Our teacher looked expectantly at the class

"Right!"  We began to chant louder. We clutched our desk tops and sat all the way forward. Our eyes were glazed over. He was correct. We were all sick of the process. We were sick of hearing about Lyndon Johnson and Barry Goldwater. It had been said the election of 1964 was the first election since 1932 that was fought over true issues, and brought ideology into Americans politics. We didn't care. We were tired of it.

We just knew that doing away with the whole crazy process was what this country needed.

"So", said our teacher. "You all think my proposition is the best way?" His face had changed.

"Almost 200 years ago, our forefathers gave their lives to make sure that we, the people, would have a say in how this country is run. They did that by fighting for our right to vote - our right to live in the land of the free.

In 20 minutes time you have given that away. You have abused the very thing that makes America special. Don?t throw it away.?

Just then, the bell rang, signaling a change in our classes.  We filed out of the class silently, our heads bowed.

I have never forgotten that history lesson. And so now, when I see the signs, read the ads, hear the commercials, I look beyond the hype and the spiffy photos and the slogans. I go to the heart of it all.

I brought my thoughts back to the Presidential election of 2008, turned to my friend in the car and nodded.

"I know it's a lot of stuff," I said. "But it is our privilege to vote. We shouldn't abuse that. And we should never throw it away."

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Cheryl Kravitz, President of CRK Communications, is respected nationally for her expertise in community relations, motivational speaking, crisis communications, media relations, media training, feature writing, diversity training, fund development and issues management.  You can contact her at: Crk725@aol.com