There is a popular misconception that following national politics is somehow an important activity. It is not. Following national politics is no more "important" than following professional sports.

We can root for one team or another, (Red Team, Blue Team, or Some Other Team if you're the underdog type) and we can get really worked up about it, but no matter how much we yell and scream the outcome isn't really up to us. It's up to the players, and we pay their salaries.

Some people get satisfaction out of being cheerleaders, and others actually try to play the game. Personally, I would rather sit under the bleachers with some friends and drag my fingers through the soil.