There is a point in the latest Star Wars movie, near the end of the second act, when Queen Amidala proclaims that the Republic has failed. The Republic, a confederation of planets and races meant to bring the interests of the common good to the forefront, has become, rather, an entity unto itself. It cares nothing for the outside worlds, but rather for its own mood swings, fights, votes and endless debating committees.

Instead of representing the interests of common good, the delegates represent their own interests. It is not about the common person--well, being-creature of some kind--it merely exists to perpetuate their own lives. The center of government has become myopic in its view of the galaxy, and therefore is ineffective to enact any kind of change from the status quo.

Forgive me for bringing up what I know is a bit of sore point for many people this summer--Episode I: The Phantom Mega-blockbuster. I've heard all the griping, all the cheap jokes, all the insulted nearly 40-year-olds who thought a PG movie full of animation and sword fighting was supposed to validate their lives somehow. My point is not to change anyone's mind about the flick (although since it's in the cheap houses now, I'd invite people to open their minds and check it out again), but to illuminate the one big problem with what is becoming Election 2000: The Search for Our Millennial President.

All the shouting, all the threats of line jumping, coke snorting and financing hijinks amount to squat. Nothing. Nada. There is nothing new in the high grasses of the election prairie that will change the direction of this country.

And I think this is fine for a lot of people--mostly the people who won't vote anyway. They know in their hearts that whoever gets into the best public housing in the world won't change their lives one iota. These people will still have the crappy job that they've been hating for years. They'll still have credit card debts, car loans, mortgages and child support. They'll still look forward to eating at McDonald's a few times a week, and maybe a pizza or two if they cut back on their telephone bill.

Most of all, they know they're the forgotten ones. They don't make enough money to matter. If anything, they make too much money for welfare (which is good, since no one in Washington or the state capitals seem to want to give money to really poor anymore--the poor just spend it on booze and drugs) and not enough to pay much in taxes (so tax cuts don't amount to anything) and not even close to enough money to contribute to a campaign (the real voice of democracy).

People bicker about campaign finance, and yet the frontrunner in the Republican party has raised so much money he's refused matching funds from the government so he doesn't have to worry about financing rules. G.W. Jr.'s squeezing out his opponents by spending so much money it's like he's running on Cold War tactics: illegitimate the competition by showing how poor in campaign financing they are.

On the other side, it ain't much better. The V.P. wants to take his campaign to the people, but he isn't quite sure where the people are. I think he thinks (like much of the rest of the field) that the people are actually just numbers and computers hooked up to the other side of the TV camera. Say something nice for the camera and instant ratings will flash back.

If you like what the following candidate is saying, please press the "yes" button with your mouse and enjoy our animated flag as it flaps in the winds of cyberspace. If you'd like to buy a pizza or contribute please press the "I have money" button in the far right hand corner. Have your credit card number ready for Dippy, our cyber check-out clerk.

Now I'm not saying that all of us disenfranchised people should work up a rebellion and use all of our still-legal weapons to overthrow the government. We can still use our system, I think. If everyone who can vote does, the two party system could be expanded to a three to five party system. It's not just a Pepsi or Coke question. There's Pepsi, Coke, 7-Up, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, I.B.C. Root Beer, Fresca and tens of other choices.

The reason our country is doing so well economy wise is this exact point. There are so many people with a little bit of cash, we can support the soft drink choice of everyone and all the companies still make money. Now, just think if everyone voted for who they actually believed in, instead of just one or the other?

It doesn't take much. It's just a vote. It's a half an hour of your time. And maybe a little bit more to be informed. There's no prize for picking the right one--and no penalty for choosing wrong. If you truly believe that it doesn't make a difference, then why are you still choosing between the two cups sitting in front of you. Why don't you reach into the fridge and sift around. I'm sure there's something in there you'll like.

We got everything. That's what America is about.

Matt Worley sometimes must ask the relevant question: "What'cha, what'cha, what'cha want?"