With less than a week to go until the Duchy of Corktown's Annual General Meeting , and hordes standing in line at the nomination office, you may be wondering if you, too, should be throwing your hat into the electoral ring.

Why are you considering this life-altering decision? The One Who Sits offers a practical personal perspective on the potential positives and pitfalls of this pending political plan. Herewith, some likely reasons, and our observations on each:

My friends think I'd be good at it... Political punditry at the pub doth not a member of the ruling class make. We suggest you invite your friends to run for office, while you run the other way.

There's an issue on my street that I want resolved/I'm really p...ed off about (your axe to grind goes here)...Unless it affects the entire community, you'll be wasting your and others' time with this approach. The One believes a better idea is to join up with your neighbours and deal directly with police, your councillor...whoever.A position on a board of directors requires you to focus on the issues and opportunities that present themselves throughout the Duchy, not just within your particular realm.

I really like interacting with others... You'll have plenty of opportunity to do this, at all times of the day and night, with everyone from people you like to those who hear voices and should perhaps be wearing protective tin foil headgear. Consider LavaLife .

I lust after unbridled power... You'll get more power sticking your tongue in an electrical outlet. At best, you might be able to persuade people to do your bidding if you can convince them of the benefits. It's not about power, it's about motivation.

I have great plans for the community... Great - and so will your fellow rulers. Once you're elected you'll need to figure out how to align your ideas with theirs, and with the other 9 people who show up for meetings.

An angel of the Lord appeared to me in a dream and told me I must do this... Ohhhhh-K....maybe it's time for your Ritalin, and for the rest of us to start running.