Bill Clinton called last night.  His was one of several calls we received that evening asking us to vote one way or another on a proposal or for a candidate.  Yes he was recorded, and no he didn’t ask for my husband by name.  But still, to pick up the phone and hear a former president say “This is Bill Clinton and I’m asking you to vote yes on proposal two”  did seem a little surreal.

Here in Michigan, aside from the race for President, Senator, Representative, university regents, judges, assorted local officials and a tax millage we also have six proposals to vote on.  Five of them are proposals to amend the state constitution.  This is serious business that should take serious consideration.

People are being inundated with information on both sides of every issue.  The advertisements range from sensitive and seemingly thoughtful, playing on our sympathy, to strident and threatening, playing on our fears.  How do we know what to believe?  We can’t even tell from the names of the organizations funding the ads.  One evening I listed to three adds in a row regarding proposal four which revolves around home health care providers.  Two of the ads were asking us to support the proposal.  The ad in the middle asked us not to support it.  Two of the ads said the other ad was an outright lie.  It’s patently obvious someone is lying,  but who?

Each issue is the same; a barrage of ads, phone calls, mailers and editorials.   And though I understand both sides must tell their story, with so much on the ballot the end result of this avalanche of information appears to be confusion and frustration.  I’m tired of it.  I wish we could all have a calm discussion about what each of these proposals would really do, and then brainstorm together about what each of them might do unintentionally, be it good or bad.  Because I don’t think any of these proposals have been thought out thoroughly.  Every piece of legislation and each constitutional amendment has the potential for unintentional consequences.  Each piece of propaganda we receive tells only one side of the story.

Tonight as we’re listening to the latest robo call and sifting through the mailbox’s latest deposit I am counting the days until November 6th.  I’m not sure which way I’ll vote on these proposals, but I don’t want any more help, thank you very much.  I’ll figure it out on my own with the information I already have.

Don’t call again, Mr. President.  It was nice talking to you but we’re all good here.  A little bit of peace and time to think is what we need now.

Please.