My recycle bin is filling with election brochures, which fly in there as soon as I spot them in the mail. What a waste...

The telephone equivalent is coming thick and fast. Call ID helps a bit, but most callers are clever enough to mask themselves with "PRIVATE" or something equally vague. No 800 number ever gets answered by a person in my house.

So, I do end up accidentally picking them up once in a while, usually a recording. Small consolation: being able to yell complex obscenities at Arnold, Phil, and other major politicians, which is good for my nerves. Small bright spot: Ads featuring Ben Stein, who is fun to listen to even if you don't care what he's saying.

Soon enough, all done. Then, the fireworks...