Oh no, not again. It's an election year. Oh happy day. Political ads, phone call surveys and a mailbox full of promises, promises and more promises.

Politicians are some of my favorite people; I cling to every word they say.

Not!

A relative of mine recently started a new job at a chamber of commerce in Florida. One of her tasks is to set up political events for the upcoming elections. When she told me how excited she was about that, I rolled my eyes and said, "You're kidding, right?" She wasn't. She actually thinks she will like working in the political arena. I told her that I'm either getting old or I have been in the newspaper business too long, because I've become quite cynical about elections and politicians. Given the history of elections in Florida (or at least one in particular that involved hanging chads), I would think she would be a bit leery about getting involved.

She finds politicians and the way they carry on to be quite amusing. I'm betting she will change her mind soon. I can't wait to talk to her after the elections this fall. Or maybe it will take her a few years of wading through the piles and piles of political propaganda before she realizes that a lot of that stuff is a waste of time. That, and she really has to experience everything that goes with a presidential election year, which gives credence to the phrase "more is less."

I guess that means I'll have to wait a few years before I sit down to chat with her about the ups and downs of election years. But, I can't wait for the day when she rolls her eyes at me in agreement!

You can reach Mary Bruemmer by e-mail at mary. bruemmer@pineriverjournal.com