I was walking in Princeton Sunday on that glorious summer’s day in mid-October, and I finally witnessed a political statement I could get behind. Now, before we get there, let’s run through the other political statements (and the like) I witnessed on Sunday that I could not get behind: A march for Palestinians. I mean, I get it, I get that side of things, I happen to be on the other side of things, but it wasn’t the message that was aggravating — it was the volume. I don’t know who came up with the idea of loudly marching for {insert cause here} but I gotta say: I think it has the opposite effect. I mean, when I’m happily eating lunch on a crystal clear 80-degree day, and have to deal with a bunch of fools chanting and waving flags and whatnot, scaring my kids, I’m not exactly going to feel generous toward your cause. For real: If I was a political operative and wanted to turn people against something, I’d hire a bunch of young, vaguely-filthy looking people and give them bullhorns and placards and tell them to march for whatever it is I want people to turn against. For instance: Let’s say I want to frack from here to the Mississippi. (Not really sure what “fracking” is, might have something to do with P. Diddy, I don’t know.) But yes, let’s say I wanted to frack. I’d hire young, vaguely-filthy looking people and tell them to protest fracking. Loudly. While people are eating. On a beautiful sunny day. In no time, I’ll have everyone in the crowd ready to frack all night. Anyway, that was the first political annoyance. Then there was the Harris-Walz people, nice old ladies telling people to vote Democrat. I’m voting Democrat. But you know what? Again, I don’t need all this political hoo-ha when I’m just trying to chill on a — have I mentioned? — 80-degree, crystal clear mid-October day. Then there was the Trump guy, not even sure what his deal was, except he was decked out in MAGA gear and just looked like a total loon and … just step aside, son. Get out of the way. Not sure where the pro-Ukraine people were — maybe they took the day off? — and the pro-Israel lobby was not out in force (like they were probably two months ago, where I saw a near-fight on Nassau Street). But … Going back to the beginning of this woebegone tale, I did come across a political statement that I could get behind, and I liked it so much, I even said so. “I stand with you,” I said to the man as he walked by in his Seinfeld/Costanza ‘24 T-shirt. Wouldn’t that be great? Jerry and George, running the country? Nothing would get done. Listen: I am so sick and tired of politics. So sick and tired of causes. So sick and tired of being told what I’m supposed to be sick and tired about. All I wanted to do was walk around town, have a delicious lunch (tamales at Taste of Mexico), hang out with my wife and kids, and not be accosted every block by somebody telling me how I should feel or who I should vote for. Mission not quite accomplished. So yes, I stand with Seinfeld/Costanza ’24. Because sometimes, the best way to move forward is to stand still. To take a breath. To remember that life isn’t always about the big issues, but about the little nothings that make up our days. And if that means we spend four years debating the merits of various Chinese restaurants or the intricacies of parking etiquette, well, is that really so bad? In a world that seems to have lost its sense of humor, maybe what we need most is a reminder not to take ourselves so seriously. To laugh at the absurdity of it all. To eat a freaking tamale in peace. So here’s to Seinfeld and Costanza, the leaders we didn’t know we needed. May their reign be filled with laughter, trivial debates, and absolutely no hugging or learning. Serenity now. Serenity now!