Preventing ‘Political Burnout Syndrome’ (PBS)

Hello everyone. My name is Schell and I am a Bad American. I’ve tried to be a good one, honestly. I mean, I’ve studied both candidates and their respective VP choices, I’ve watched all the debates and town hall meetings, I know their policies, I know their histories, and I know what, if elected, they’ll bring to the table over the next four years.

I am what you’d call, ‘politically informed’

But Tuesday night, when I found myself turning off the debate mid-show, I realized that I’m not just informed, I’m actually over-informed. In fact, I realized that I am suffering from severe case of Political Burnout. Symptoms include: extreme eye-rolling, hives in the shape of Sean Hannity and Keith Olbermann, and a strong desire for this election to be over already.

Seriously. I am done listening to the rhetoric, the political ads, the pundits, and the pinheads. I am tired of everyone and their wrong, misinformed, and sadly out of date opinions. More and more I find myself turning off the news channels and wishing that we could just get this over with already.

How does tomorrow work for everyone?

However, considering that reality is what it is, and there is little we can do to change it (I’ve tried), I’ve put together some things that are helping me through all this political quackery. Perhaps they can help you make it though the next four weeks, too.

1 – Develop a sense of humor. This is vital to, well, to anything, really. These next few weeks, and especially if you’re a Republican, are going to be tough. And to survive, you’re going to have to get used to people knocking down your choice. I find that a good, well-developed sense of humor can help avoid feeling as though you’re never going to get it right. Now, humor is good, but preemptive humor is best. For example, if you happen to be at a Young Dems meeting, don’t wait for the jokes to begin, kick off the meeting and tell everyone a few jokes you’d recently heard about Obama. The more offensive the joke the better. If nobody laughs, explain to them that you’re only trying to help them develop the toughness they’ll need to get through the weeks until the election. The Republicans are a nasty bunch who’ll resort to backhanded humor at every step. They’ll no doubt appreciate your help and might reward you with a group hug and maybe even a promotion to group treasurer.

2 – Specialize your political interest. Everyone likes to be well read. But what about that one guy who, no matter what you try to talk to him about, always wants to bring the conversation back to one book, or one story that he’s read? That guy knows what he likes regardless of what other think of him. Everyone respects him for it. Even if they choose to show their respect by ignoring him. But don’t let his solitude fool you. I suggest picking an issue, the more obscure issue the better, and become an expert in how each candidate is going to tackle it, or not. Everyone knows how McCain and Obama feel about the War in Iraq. But why is nobody covering the recent exclusion of the slender moonwart from the endangered species list not because it is making a comeback, but because there is not enough information available to warrant list inclusion. How dare the Mainstream Media ignore such a hot-button topic!

3 – Find a niche outside the political arena. OK, let’s face it, if you’re reading this, you probably aren’t going to run for president, get tapped for the VP spot, or get your own hour-long on MSNBC. In fact, as informed as you are, politics might not even be for you. Why not leave the cold-calling and street-corner-ad-spinning to someone else tonight and go and take that cooking class you’ve always wanted.

4 – Find (and visit) a good therapist. Always on the wrong side of an argument? Can’t stand to hear what other people have to say? Convinced that you’re surrounded by idiots? Maybe it isn’t everyone else that’s wrong. Maybe that fight you lost in the third grade (to a girl) is having more of an affect on you than you’re willing to admit.

5 – Spend some time getting to realize that you are only human surrounded by humans. OK, this was a big one for me. Up until my 30th birthday, I was under the distinct impression that I was ‘more’ human than the philistines surrounding me. Imagine my surprise when I found out that they are just as human as I am. And as such, are subject to the same mistakes and errs in judgment that I (occasionally) am. And although I remain somewhat skeptical, admitting that we’re all the same has allowed me to take some of the pressure to be perfect off of myself and those surrounding me. At least now when someone messes up, I am not at the ready with my broadsword, calling for his neck. I’ve eased.

6 – Did I mention a sense of humor? Vitally important, that.

So, those are my tips. Now, I am not telling you how to go about your daily life, I am only telling you what has been working for me. In these next few weeks, all of us, human democrats and human republicans are going to be force-fed more political information than ever before. And if you’re paying attention to the election (if not, please do), it’s very easy to get burnt out on all of this. And it’s also very easy to just want to block the whole thing out. Which is fine. But if you’re going to do that, please don’t forget to come out of hiding long enough to vote.

I am Schell and I approve this message..

-Schell