Turn to a newspaper’s editorial page this year and there is no doubt that you will see at least one cartoon preparing us for the snore the 2000 presidential race is expected to be.

Thursday, March 16, 2000

Turn to a newspaper’s editorial page this year and there is no doubt that you will see at least one cartoon preparing us for the snore the 2000 presidential race is expected to be.

Even the late night comedy/talk show circuit is getting into the act. "The Tonight Show’s" Jay Leno recently lampooned Democratic candidate Al Gore’s challenge to GOP nominee George Bush that they debate at least twice a week and forego political TV spots.

"Who wants to see that," Leno quipped.

And, that’s true, most of us probably don’t want to endure anymore political posturing and mudslinging than we have to, especially if the banter covers issues that we really don’t care about.

So, how can we make this year’s election a little bit easier to bear? The answer is simple – participate.

As the year wears on, Ohioans will have a chance to get their message to the candidates through their local parties about what they think the nation’s new list of priorities should be. If enough people give their opinions, those concerns just might make it into the top 10 of candidate discussion topics.

Setting the nation’s course does not have to be the task of the two national parties. Americans have proven they will support the candidate with the best ideas, not necessarily the one with the traditional party stamp of approval.

Now, it is time for them to help determine what positions the chosen two will take on issues that affect this country.

And that requires more than just giggling at another Al Gore or George W. Bush joke. It means getting involved.