I never really understood that MTV/Diddy get-out-the-vote ad campaign. Was Diddy going to track me down and bust a cap in my ass if I didn’t vote? Had he poisoned the water supply and would only give me the antidote if I voted? How would he know if I voted anyway? And isn’t threatening citizens to make sure they vote a hallmark of totalitarian regimes? But then again Diddy is pretty much a totalitarian regime unto himself.

Election Day is Tuesday and at this critical time in our nation’s history I urge everybody to vote. Vote for whomever you think will do the best job for America in these perilous times. But vote. Please. Here are some songs to hum while you’re in the voting booth.

Tommy Berndtsson and Sharon Dyall “Politician” (Cream)
In Chicago we learn at an early age to hold all politicians in contempt and treat anything they say with suspicion. That’s why I love this song so much, it speaks to the inherent nature of all politicians.

Sweetafton23 “Political Science” (Randy Newman)
I was searching around for covers of this song and found this on Youtube. I don’t know much about this woman, even her web page is short on details. But she’s got a pleasant voice and she plays a ukulele and that’s good enough for me. This song nicely sums up John McCain’s foreign policy.

Cake “War Pigs” (Black Sabbath)
There are two wars going on and the next President will have to deal with them. Go to your polling place and let your voice be heard on this issue. I like how Cake adds a bass line that makes this song sound like “Eve Of Destruction.”

The Persuasions “Hotplate Heaven At The Green Hotel” (Frank Zappa)
This song was written in the 1980s about Reaganomics but it is unfortunately as true today as when it was written. What happened to those good old days and all the crap we used to sell? And more important, what are we going to do about it? Cast your ballot and let the folks in Washington know what you want done. After all, FZ’s famous quote was “Don’t forget to register and vote.” Do it for Frank.

David Lindley “How Can A Poor Man Face Such Times And Live?” (Blind Alfred Reed)
Another song (this time from the 1920s) that is still depressingly current. How can a poor man face such times and live? He can vote for the candidate that he thinks can get the country out of this mess.