Well? Did you?

Did you take time out to be a part of the process?

Did you cast your ballot to support those who best match your social and political beliefs?

Did you do it right- showed ID, refrained from campaigning, and stayed off the phone while you were at the poll?

Did you exercise your fundamental right to choose your leaders?

Did you decide to do the simple act of voting?

Did you?

If you did, good for you. You are part of the solution.

Now, for those who didn't...

I don't want to hear how frustrated you are with the opposition. As far as I'm concerned, if you can't motivate yourself to find the time to get to a poll (early, absentee, or on the day), then you have not legitimate right to complain about what the government does or does not do. If you're too busy to at least try to make your voice heard, then shut up entirely.

Shame on you. Unless you are legally prohibited from voting for whatever reason, shame on you. Get up, educate yourself, and take part in a system that so relatively few in this world get the opportunity to do. This is really reality TV. It matters. To everyone.

Don't make excuses for yourself. Everyone who does not have a legal bar against participating has so many opportunities to cast a ballot. You weren't too busy. You can get an absentee ballot and fill it out while you drool over Jersey Snore and Dancing With the Stooges and mail it in.

Get a grip, America. Politicians and special interests have taken over the store because we've steadily become an apathetic majority. We have become Rome, and there's lots of bread and circuses going around. I for one am not resigned to be a clown.

Chip Grefski