As TPain* said at Spring Fling 2012,** these are the times that try men’s souls. We’re on day seven of this government shutdown business. Eight hundred thousand federal employees have been furloughed, while another 1.3 million are working without pay. The debt ceiling is looming ominously; we’re learning that “default” has another connotation that’s much more alarming than your FB profpic. It’s scary and overwhelming. Hard to make sense of it all, and even harder to feel involved.

Still want to exercise the rights and privileges that come with citizenship? We might not have, you know, a federal government, but the democratic process lives! Blue State has posted a survey allowing the common man to have his or her voice heard in the making of a truly monumental decision. They’re adding a new vegan item to the menu — and you, or I, or the woman currently sitting next to me and singing along to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” in that very coffee shop (York St. location, of course), can vote on what it will be.

Our options?

• Vegan Hoisin Seitan Wrap: napa cabbage, baby corn, snow peas and a ginger miso vinaigrette
• Vegan Tempeh Reuben Wrap: housemade thousand island, sauerkraut and Daiya vegan “swiss”
• Vegan Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Sandwich: tahini lemon spread, olive tapenade, roasted red onion on multigrain bread

The always-opinionated Bullblog staff is engaged in a fierce argument over our endorsement in what will almost surely be a tight little race. We haven’t come to a satisfactory conclusion yet. For now, it’s every man for himself. Vote or be condemned to a complacent existence in the post-apocalyptic doomscape.

* Or someone.
** Or some other time.