The most important popularity contest of the 21st century is underway — and you don’t matter.

Why, you may ask? Because the super Political Action Committees (PACs) are in full force, and it will only get worse from here.

The Republican primary race just wrapped up in Florida, with Mitt Romney reigning supreme after super PACs spent $17.4 million on his behalf.

Super PACs are groups of private investors who come together to rally financial support for candidates.

In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that super PACs are legal and can raise and spend unlimited funds to support candidates, as long as they do not directly coordinate with individual campaigns.

That ruling has led to the most insane spending on advertising — mostly negative attack ads — in places like Florida ahead of elections.

As of Wednesday, more than $44 million was reported to have been spent in the Florida primary, according to the Federal Election Commission.

So what does $44 million get you?

If you’re Romney, it gets you one step closer to a fight with President Barack Obama.

For Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, however, it means they have been found wanting — both trailed Romney by double digits in not only the polls, but reported expenditures as well.

The main contributor to Romney’s campaign, Restore Our Future, was responsible for $17.4 million in advertising buys — 92 percent of those ads attacking Gingrich — that helped propel the former Massachusetts governor to victory in the Sunshine State.

Super PACs aren’t just for Republicans though. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Priorities USA have begun buying ads in Nevada and Florida, attacking Romney for his double talk on immigration — an issue many think will factor hugely in November — for a petty $15 million.

Take a wild guess who runs Priorities USA. It’s Bill Burton, Obama’s former deputy press secretary.

So, while political alliances with wealthy businessmen might keep the ads coming for Republicans, Democrats also have plenty of funding from the super rich.

The point is, nobody succeeds in politics without burgeoning coffers and a ton of strategists that know what buttons to push with voters.

So, who loses in the end? It’s you, of course.

Don’t worry about researching the candidates and figuring out who you should/will support — there’s a super PAC for that.

Ever wondered if Gingrich really is the immoral guy that you heard about 19 years ago?

No worries, there’s a super PAC for that.

Think Romney should be feared because he is a Democratic candidate in Republican clothing?

There’s a super PAC for that too.

The point is, these groups are going to be clouding the minds of impressionable young and old voters everywhere.

Campaigns used to be funded by companies, individuals and politicians, or their families — think Kennedys or Bushes. And while super PACs have not completely taken over, they seem to be the wave of the future.

Obama will become the scariest person since 2008 once the Our Destiny and American Crossroads of the world get through exerting their monetary muscle through your satellite dish or television’s cable box.

Whoever gets the GOP nomination in Tampa, Fla., will probably ike to see all minorities and elderly cleared out to make way for more rich, white businessmen, according to your collective televisions and radios.

The mud will be flying for the next 10 months, and it’s only going to get worse, America.

So, enjoy this campaign, because by the time the super PACs are done, every fear you ever had of either candidate will be confirmed and reinforced.

It’s good to know money still counts for something.