A Strange Time for Friendship

I randomly received an email from an-exboyfriend last week. The email basically said that elections were becoming too expensive and negative ads were bad and couldn't I fix it? Besides the incredibly giant leap in understanding of what I do for a living, there were so many problems inherent in the email, it took all of my willpower not to email him back, "Why are you a dumbass?"

Instead, I replied calmly about the disagreement between political scientist on the usefulness of negative ads. Personally, I prefer a good attack ad to one that shows a would-be representative surrounded by her kids and dogs, telling us how important family is to her. At least negative ads let us know, in a blunt sort of measure, where candidates stand on some issues. As opposed to no issues, like those happy ads. In addition, since this is the day trader, real estate tycoon ex-boyfriend (does everyone have one of those in their past?), I asked him why he was so upset since this just put money in the economy, which is good, right? And why does he care anyway, since he's not a citizen of the United States?

Then, he emails me back. About voting machines. Asking why I can't fix it.

And...what the fuck? Who does he think I am? Why doesn't he fix it? He certainly has more money and power than this wee grad student from Minnesota.

I'm waiting for the next email to ask me to fix the electoral college. Or the war in Iraq. Or something equally impossible.