Don't you just hate it when pundits advise people to "just vote?" This is usually followed by something like "do your civic duty."

So about half of the Americans population takes that to heart and dutifully shows up at the polls on election day, often making bad choices.

Don't you just also hate it when politicians say they "trust the people" to make the right decision?

"The people" or "the masses" by and large - present readership excluded of course - tend to be more like sheep. Especially in backward states like Alabama, they tend to show up and vote for who their preacher tells them to vote for, or who their family members and coworkers seem to support.

Some people, a little higher up the brain chain, are influenced by things like meeting a candidate in person, or if a candidate publicly support something they really want to participate in, like the lottery.

In spite of standing trial in federal court as this is written, former Gov. Don Siegelman has an incredibly hardcore base of supporters in Alabama. This surprised me when I moved back home from DC and before that New Orleans, because quite frankly, I had no idea so many people were such "fans" of any politician in this state. I mean, how can you be a fan of what this state looks like politically, unless you are blissfully happy working at Wal-mart or on the assembly line at one of the new auto-plants?

Gov. Bob Riley seems to be liked OK by most people, but not because of his charisma or force of personality or brilliant ideas about how to govern. It's the economy stupid.

People on the religious right seem to like standing by Judge Roy Moore, but only because he seems to be willing to stand up courageously for something they believe in, the Ten Commandments.

Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley seems to be well-liked in some quarters, but literally hated in others. I could publish some of my e-mail of late calling her "dumb" or "ignorant" and saying things like "she doesn't have both oars in the water."

But I think I will refrain, because there is one fact that I believe is the most important thing to remember for any Democrat in Alabama as they go to the polls on Tuesday: A vote for Don Siegelman is a vote to destroy the Democratic Party in this state and hand the Republicans a one-party state for many years to come.

It's nothing personal. I like Don fine, and believe his claims about a political prosecution. But I do not think handing the party's nomination to someone in the middle of a federal corruption trial - no matter the eventual outcome - will be good for the party or the state.

I do not know her well, but I believe Lucy Baxley is a reasonable person who would listen to good ideas if elected. I could be wrong.

If she is half as incompetent as the Siegelman e-mail support group claims, she will lose to Bob Riley in the general election anyway.

Sometimes it is better to lose one election in order to win the next one. Maybe the Democrats can find a stronger slate of candidates in 2010. I hope they are working on it. They seem to have lost the enthusiasm of most young voters on the left who are technologically savvy and into protecting the environment.

The peace left also seems to think we need another party in this state. Unfortunately at this juncture, there is no base of support to launch the Green Party here. Too many uneducated sheep.

If Riley does win a second term, I suspect he will face the same general fate as President George W. Bush in his second term. The economy will tank. There will be another natural disaster. More scandal stories will come out. Maybe all of the above.

An immutable law of American politics: The pendulum always swings, back and forth.

So go vote on Tuesday if you know who you are voting for and why. Otherwise, pick up a 12-pack of Yuengling and sit this one out. I'm considering it myself, since my vote in the local church would most likely be thrown out anyway. I may be the only person thinking about voting for a Democrat in this neighborhood. And, the Baxley campaign seems unwilling or simply unable to figure out how to update its Web site.

See you on the flipside of election day. Let us know if the outcome makes you happy or sad. Or don't.

We will, of course, be following the numbers and will post a story about the winners as soon as they become available.

Cheers and best of luck. We hope your favorite candidate wins.