You would not imagine the vehemence and viciousness with which some people defend their right NOT to vote.

Well, maybe you could imagine it. These days, very little is left unsaid, and that which is uttered is often hyperbolic and rabid.

But to claim righteous indignation about not participating in the democratic process? Wow. The new era of anonymous commentary has brought the fringe into the foreground.

In response to stories about Hawai'i's abysmal voter turnout in the September primary election, people wrote ranting e-mails and raving online posts about how all politicians are crooks, government doesn't care, nothing ever changes, and similar messages of "Why bother?"

Though there is a bit of truth to those sentiments, by not voting, you're hardly taking a stand. You're abdicating. Non-action is not proactive in this case.

How about this: Go vote today just in celebration that this crazy, no-holds-barred election season is coming to a close.

This campaign season featured the Honolulu mayor so agitated and over-armed for combat that he spent money to take shots at the guy who ran against him four years ago.

Mufi Hannemann was leading Ann Kobayashi in the polls, but that wasn't enough. He had to aim some firepower at his old nemesis Duke Bainum as well. Last week, Hannemann's campaign sent out glossy mailers parodying a game show that accused Kobayashi of orchestrating Bainum's sudden return to Hawai'i and subsequent unopposed run for her City Council seat.

As if that matters.

Meanwhile, our governor flew off to the Mainland to talk up Alaska's Sarah Palin and talk down Hawai'i's Barack Obama while back home, state funding for the brand new Keiki Care medical insurance program was cut off with little discussion.

As though it didn't matter.

We were subjected to the insistent but untrue rumors that Obama faked his Hawai'i birth certificate. You would not believe the phone calls and e-mails that demanded the newspapers "correct" statements that he was born in Hawai'i. Even when the Lingle-appointed state health director said she checked out the original document and that yes, indeed, Barack Obama Jr. was born right here in Hawai'i, some furiously held on to their delusions, saying, "See! That's how deep the conspiracy goes!"

Oh, if only politics were deep enough for such complicated conspiracies. It is all too often very shallow and extremely superficial, as when U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye took a dig at Obama's Punahou-ness.

Vote today, start fresh tomorrow. When the campaign signs come down and the virtual shouting dies down, there is so much actual work to be done.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.