Over the weekend, I was driving along a road not too far from our house, and I noticed up ahead a sign affixed to a mailbox. My first thought was that it was a campaign sign for the upcoming elections - "Bubba Hardknuckle for Sheriff" or something like that. As I got closer, I could see that it was a homemade sign. I thought maybe it was something like one of those "Lordy, lordy, Bubba is 40" signs. Not the same Bubba as the Bubba running for sheriff. A different Bubba. You gotta keep your Bubba's straight, you know. Once I worked for a company of about 25 people, and there were not one but two Bubbas employed there. Had to use their last names just to keep them straight - Bubba Smith, and Bubba Johnson. Go figure. But I digress.

As I approached the mailbox in question, I could finally make out the colorful magic markered words on the side: "Vote Taylor Hicks American Idol". I just about wrecked the car.

Let me be perfectly honest here. I hate reality television. With a passion. And I can honestly say that, even though I have never watched any of the reality TV shows - American Idol, Survivor, Big Brother, The Amazing Race, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Dancing with the Stars, The Osbornes, you name it. The closest I have come to reality TV is either America's Funniest Home Videos, or Whose Line Is It Anyway?

When I go to turn on the television, I want something entertaining. And "entertaining" to me means something with a plot. Some story to involve me. Something where writers have actually worked to write something, and actors are actually acting while a director is directing. Not some people who think they can sing or dance, or some idiots trying to outwit each other in some hostile environment. Those reality shows to me are just a waste of airtime and advertiser dollars.

But then I started thinking about how these shows reach out to people. Especially the younger generation, causing them do to such things as decorating a mailbox with a sign for their favorite contestant. So I came up with this great idea.

For the next Presidential election, let's scrap the whole voting process. Throw out the electoral college, exit polls, and all that other mess. Instead, have the candidates compete for the presidency in reality shows! That will bring in the disenfranchised youth of America! And give grandma something to talk about at the hairdresser!

Can't you just see it now - Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush conniving against each other in Survivor: Baghdad. Bill Frist and Christopher Dodd singing the songs of the Osmonds on American Idol! Vote now! That ought to get the power of the people moving!