You're probably familiar with the ancient Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times." There's little doubt that we do.

Depending on how far back you wish to go, we have witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union, the freeing of Eastern Europe, the advent of the Worldwide Web, a presidential impeachment, a First Lady elected senator, and a presidential election as close and contentious as we have ever had.

Many people seem to have obsessed on this election, and voices on both sides have become increasingly shrill. One would think that we are in the midst of Armageddon. At the very least, the country is divided right down the middle, as this election hinges on Talmudic legalisms and pregnant chads.

Lost in all the noise and absurd conspiracy theories are a few important points.

First of all, we have gotten through far worse in the United States--like a Civil War, for example!

Second, realize that the media, as always, is fanning the flames of this situation, strictly for the dollars. While there probably ARE more Democrats in the elite media, at least on the creative side, the only conspiracy in play is the one to increase revenue.

Third, politics has ALWAYS been corrupt. How could it not be? Stripped to its essentials, politics is nothing more than the art and science of re-distributing money, occasional lofty goals notwithstanding.

For those who say they are oh so terribly concerned with the outcome of this contest, let's have a little reality check:

Which of the following would be more likely to give you great anxiety?

a)   Your candidate losing the election
b)   An IRS audit tomorrow
c)   Your child undergoing a life-saving operation
d)   Awaiting the results of a test determining whether or not you have cancer

I daresay that the even candidates and their staffs would choose b, c, and d.

It is surely human nature to be fascinated by spectacular events. In today's instant news environment, though, it can also be self-destructive.

How much time, energy, and emotional capital can we fritter away on all these "newsworthy" events? What possible benefit could have come from watching the OJ Simpson trial day after day for months? To what end would people follow the salvage operation after the JFK Jr. plane crash? Who gains as you watch the careers of news anchors play out, as your own career languishes?

Here, the expression "Get a life" takes on real meaning.

Do the media junkies feel that the constant contact with big events somehow makes them part of the action? Does the circus take the place of their own dreary lives? Could they improve their dreary lives if they did NOT watch?

And thus we come to the worst conspiracy of all--the one that is self-inflicted. How sad that so many of us can be so willing to distract ourselves from the productive aspects of our own lives.

I promise you: No matter who is president, the person most in control of your life is you!