The 2008 election is billed as one of historic proportions. Supporters of Barack Obama and John McCain fight with such passion and rigor that one might think their lives were at stake. When it comes down to it, however, Republicans and Democrats are the same. So fellow students, come Nov. 4, do not vote for either major party. They do not address the actual problems at hand.

Both parties voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Iraq War, both voted for the Patriot Act behind closed doors, and both forced telecommunication companies to spy on you. Recently, both parties voted in favor of the massive bailout for Wall Street, to the tune of over $700 billion. On all the issues that matter most, there is no debate.

Of course, there are some issues in which Republicans and Democrats have genuine differences. But these are minor wedge issues which serve to placate the public from realizing what is really going on in America.

As a nation, we collectively argue over abortion, stem cell research, "creationism," minor changes in the tax code, and much more.

But at the end of the day, who cares? There are impending disasters currently taking place and our attention should be focused on those above all else.

First, the dollar is tanking and will soon cease to be the world's reserve currency. This will have dire consequences as our import-based economy is forced to pay an ever increasing amount for necessities, such as oil, clothing, and Chinese lead-laden toys. Try traveling to Europe recently? The dollar once meant something. Now, our foreign debt-holders are scrambling for solutions as the American greenback slides toward worthlessness.

But both parties continue to create money out of thin air to add liquidity to the markets. They want to spend hundreds of billions of dollars that we simply do not have. This will only create inflation and erode the dollar's purchasing power that much faster.

Another disaster that we're heading towards is the concept of peak oil, the point at which world oil demand outstrips supply, resulting in skyrocketing price and shortages abound. Our modern economy is based entirely off oil. It is crucial for transportation, machinery, oil-based pesticides, medicine (think petroleum jelly), and much more.

Earlier this summer, when gas hit $4 a gallon, airlines were on the brink of bankruptcy, the price of food increased, and gas-related crime spiked. Peak oil, if left unmitigated, will result in gas prices of over $10 a gallon. Then we will wish for the good ol' days of $4 a gallon gas.

And no, ethanol and wind energy will not fill in the gap, Democrats. Neither will offshore drilling, Republicans. "Drill baby drill?" Disgusting.

To solve both of our problems requires a complete change of lifestyle. I do not mean abandoning SUVs, using more public transit, and reusing more. That is only a start. Rather, to fix both our financial and energy problems, we must drastically roll back our way of life. For decades we have squandered away precious resources and lived beyond our means. But China, Japan, and the rest of the world no longer want to fuel our debt-laden lifestyle of over consumption. We must change. Now.

Two-thirds of our economy is based off consumer spending. We no longer rely on creating actual products for prosperity, but rather by buying stuff. At the time of World War II, we were the world's creditor. We were at the forefront of manufacturing. We -- gasp -- conserved.

Now we are the world's largest debtor, conservation is a four-letter word, and we rely on services to fuel our economy. For instance, the US holds 5% of the world's population, yet has 75% of the world's lawyers. Sorry, but you cannot run a world-class economy with lawyers and cashiers.

Back to the election -- Both parties refuse to acknowledge these facts. Instead of blaming one party, we should blame all of Washington! Both sides are beholden to lobbyists. Obama's "change" is pure rhetoric, seen time and time again throughout history. And McCain's claim that he will "fix" Washington, despite the fact that his party has controlled either the White House or Congress since 1980, is a joke. A cruel, sad joke.

We are students, and we are continually bombarded with the same message: vote or die. They tell us that we are a crucial voting block and can make a difference, but only show us two options: Republican or Democrat. Let us not fall into this trap.

To actually make a difference, take a stand against the two parties. Vote third party, write in for a candidate (I suggest Ron Paul, an honest politician) or do not vote at all. Why should we, in a "free country" have to choose the lesser of the two evils, time and time again?