A special nag for American readers

I probably don't have to say this, but: if you're an American reading this, please remember to vote on Tuesday. While electoral systems and constitutional forms may vary, one thing that is true of all the world's democracies is that they only work properly when people participate. The United States of America is supposed to be the example to the world of democratic government. Please do your bit to make it true.

Unlike other people, I'm not going to tell you who to vote for - it's your decision, not mine, and you are the people who will primarily have to live with the results. What I will say is that if you can't stomach any of the candidates, don't stay at home - let them know. The number and type of Presidential candidates will only change if there is public demand for it; using a write-in option or spoiling your ballot by writing "none of the above" on it are both ways of expressing that demand (alternatively, writing to your local paper or calling talkback radio is probably more productive). If you're dissatisfied, doing nothing will not solve the problem.