Can there possibly be anything left to say about this election, that hasn’t been said? (Again, and again, and again…)

Lately I’ve been telling people that I can’t wait for it to be over. But I suspect that I may be in for a letdown—what on earth am I going to talk about, or gee, even think about, once there are no more splashy election stories?

Will I miss the nightly recaps in the news and in conversations, as many of us gather to deconstruct our favorite moments from each campaign’s daily bump and grind? Will anything seem as poignant as my favorite candidate’s words of soaring inspiration, or as funny as his opponent’s face-flattening misstep?

I think it’s time for this election to be decided, because the whole affair is bringing out the baser tendencies of me and everyone I know!

After months of analyzing the issues and debating the points, many of us are just exhausted.

I am starting to think that the presidential election season is similar to the holiday season. All normal time and thought seems to be suspended as we count down the days to the big event.

Along with the idealized Norman Rockwell of it all, is the spleen-splitting realization that encouraging people to leave their comfort zones, to gather under one small roof for an extended period of forced frivolity, may well devolve into sneers and eyerolls. Once the initial camaraderie give way to days, DAYS, of togetherness, you start to remember why you screen your phone calls.

There’s a thin line between being an engaged audience and being held captive.

Sleep deprivation, manic preparations, and consuming nothing but mulled wine (or a Joe-inspired six-pack) and party mix—those factors can create the tipping point.

During this campaign season, we’ve been pulling on our brightly colored campaign shirts, decking our yards with “Vote for X!” signs and sitting with our party’s faithful at debates.

But after months of viewing the world through a political lens, there are times when people no longer seem like individuals to me; they are either Obama supporters or McCain supporters, and the only distinguishing characteristic of a state is whether it shows up as red or blue on the poll-based maps.

The holidays start out with excitement, and elections start out with idealism.  But then it’s time for the twenty-four hour festivities to wind down and for lives to resume a normal routine.

And as much of a Scrooge as I suddenly find myself, I am a passionate believer in the joys of our democratic process.

As I head out into that bustling celebration of choosing our next leaders, I realize that all of that hustle and bustle is worth it—the right to step behind a curtain and cast a vote is an opportunity as graceful as the chance to gather with family.

And as soon as it’s over, I’ll start looking forward to doing it all again!