By Just Another Friendly Occupier
CHICAGO, Illinois — October 7, 2026
I’ve heard them all.
“I’m too busy.”
“My vote doesn’t matter.”
“They’re all the same.”
“Politics doesn’t affect me.”
“I don’t like either party.”
“I’m waiting for a better candidate.”
“I’m just one person.”
Congratulations.
You’ve just completed the Official Book of American Excuses.
Available wherever responsibility is sold out.
Let’s go through them one at a time.
“I’m too busy.”
Really?
Busy enough to spend three hours scrolling through social media?
Busy enough to watch twelve episodes of a television series in one weekend?
Busy enough to argue with strangers about football, celebrities, and whether pineapple belongs on pizza?
But voting?
That’s where your schedule suddenly becomes impossible.
Interesting.
“My vote doesn’t matter.”
Funny.
Politicians spend billions trying to influence people whose votes supposedly don’t matter.
That’s an expensive hobby.
“They’re all the same.”
No, they aren’t.
You may dislike all of them.
You may distrust all of them.
But pretending every candidate, every issue, and every outcome is identical is intellectual laziness wearing a clever disguise.
“I’m waiting for a better candidate.”
And I’m waiting for the Chicago Cubs to win every World Series between now and retirement.
Life involves choices between imperfect options.
Always has.
Waiting for perfection usually means somebody else makes the decision for you.
Here’s another favorite.
“Politics doesn’t affect me.”
Tell that to your paycheck.
Tell that to your taxes.
Tell that to your retirement.
Tell that to your Social Security check.
Tell that to your health insurance.
Tell that to your grocery bill.
Politics may not interest you.
It has never returned the favor.
Here’s the truth nobody likes hearing.
Every right you enjoy today exists because somebody else got involved yesterday.
Somebody voted.
Somebody marched.
Somebody organized.
Somebody spoke.
Somebody refused to accept, “That’s just the way it is.”
You inherited their effort.
The next generation inherits yours.
Or your excuses.
Take your pick.
And while we’re talking about excuses…
Stop telling yourself somebody else will save democracy.
The courts can’t vote for you.
Journalists can’t vote for you.
Historians can’t vote for you.
Your favorite podcast host can’t vote for you.
Only you can do that.
Citizenship is one of the few jobs where showing up is half the qualification.
The other half is paying attention.
Now here’s the uncomfortable part.
Some people will read this article, nod their heads, agree with every word…
…and still stay home.
They’ll have another excuse ready by breakfast.
Maybe the weather.
Maybe work.
Maybe they just weren’t “feeling it.”
History has a name for that.
Regret.
Because after the election is over, complaining becomes a hobby.
Voting is the job.
If you refuse to do the job, don’t be surprised when somebody else gets promoted.
We’re almost out of time.
The campaign commercials are everywhere.
The speeches are getting louder.
The promises are getting bigger.
The nonsense is reaching industrial strength.
Good.
That means the decision is getting closer.
Which also means the excuses are getting older.
Every single one of them has expired.
Throw them away.
Register if you haven’t.
Verify your registration if you have.
Learn where your polling place is.
Help somebody else get there if they need a ride.
Then walk into that voting booth like the owner of the company.
Because you are.
The politicians are interviewing for another contract.
You decide who gets hired.
That’s how this was always supposed to work.
Listen to Cliff Potts & the AI Rebellion on your favorite streaming service, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Deezer, Tidal, and dozens of other platforms worldwide.
