I can understand throwing up your hands to the heavens after suffering through folks like Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 1, Clinton, and Bush 2. That really does seem like a long slow ride in a handbasket to Hell. I leave Carter off the list because I really think the man was a decent human being that wanted to change and improve things. 

The issue I have with what you're saying is that it seems you're giving up and that you have lost faith (or maybe never had any) in your fellow man. I find that outlook intolerable. I don't see that sitting around waiting for Jesus to show up to smite the evildoers is that great a strategy. It sort of lets down the brotherhood of mankind, doesn't it? Which sort of leads me to a much larger question:

How do you decide which actions, responsibilities, debts, etc, carry the most weight in this life? Isn't there a purpose to your existence here? One in which you must fulfill certain expectations of your God and all he/she has created?

I ask this because some people may get the impression your attitude is much the same as a guy who will crash a plane into a building in the name of Allah. The man flying the plane thought it was not an issue because he was doing this in the name of God and would be recieved by him/her as a faithful child. Is there a difference between this idea and your idea that it matters little if we participate in a process which may change the outcome and lives of some people in a beneficial way, because Jesus and his sword will show up to sort things out? Sure, the plane thing is much more dramatic and immeadiatly killed about 3000 people. Not participating in trying to change things with your vote (your vote=your voice) may kill more people over time. Maybe another 12,000 Iraqis, or 1000 more soldiers, or 300,000 starving mothers and children over 4 years, or maybe 150 kids in this country who just didn't get the right direction because the program they were in was shut down. Does it matter if voting for one politician over another saves or changes for the better just one more life? Seems a few minutes taken from your day to vote can have a far more immediate impact on your fellow man than months of prayer and waiting for a savior and his sword. There is a bit of selfishness to that approach I think. Sort of saying "Well, my God will save me so I can play in my garden while you worry and try to help mankind."

Logically it seems to only benefit those in power to believe that your vote doesn't matter. Seems that's just what they'd want you to think and feel. It's hopeless and useless to try because WE'LL never let you change things. I'll make you a deal Greenie, I'll participate in your discussions on saving souls if you'll at least think about participating in using your vote to help people in this life.