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Candidates over parties

With the Canadian elections slated for next month, I guess it’s time to pay a bit of attention. It might be useful to know if any of the parties stands for an innovative way of governing the country.

With the Canadian elections slated for next month, I guess it’s time to pay a bit of attention. It might be useful to know if any of the parties stands for an innovative way of governing the country.

In fact, it would be startling if any of the political parties or their leaders offered anything innovative. Listening to them on the evening news, they seem to be mouthing the same old ... the same old. Given that fact, it’s virtually impossible to get inspired to vote — or to choose for whom to vote.

The other day I wandered into the hallway at Selkirk College, and I came upon a colleague of mine chatting with incumbent MP Alex Atamanenko. My colleague was effusive in his support of Atamanenko and declared that he and his family were on side. They were going to vote for Atamanenko — and that was that.

Because I know Alex quite well, I slid into the conversation. I stated clearly that I never declare for whom I’m voting. Even if I were elated with a particular candidate or his or her platform, I would still hold my vote close to my chest.

Some citizens probably view that as a cowardly position. After all, they say, if you believe in something you should spell it out. Perhaps you might influence others to vote your way.

The problem is I have never viewed myself as part of any party’s influence game. Nor do I believe strongly enough in most positions put forward by candidates to become an advocate. When they get into power, often they have to follow party lines on most issues anyway, so those voiced hopes during the campaign often fall by the way.

For a long time now, I’ve taken this position of silence. Sometimes even my wife doesn’t know whom I’m going to vote for in provincial and federal elections. We have a standing joke between us about “cancelling” each other’s vote.

I’ll argue about issues because I think that’s healthy. And I’m not afraid to list the points I agree with in relation to various candidates, but I don’t want to be pinned down until I’m heading for the election centre.

What this gives me, of course, is incredible freedom. I’m free to listen to all the speeches with an open mind because I’m not coloured by blue, red, orange, or green. I’m also free to shake hands with any candidate I please without worrying about breaking faith with anyone.

I’m also free to choose the best candidate regardless of party.  Despite being a good friend of Ed Conroy’s for many years, I didn’t decide to vote for him until the very end when he was running for MLA . Though I was not a party member, I even attended one of his victory celebrations. A supporter of Ed’s was surprised to see me there because, as he stated, “you didn’t attend any of the rallies.”

At that point, I told him I wasn’t an NDPer. In fact, I described myself as apolitical. But because I’d voted for Ed, I had no problem lifting a glass at his victory gathering. I did the same when I voted for Jim Gouk and the Reform party. Though I had doubts about some of the Reform crazies, I had no doubts about Gouk being the best politician we could send to Ottawa.

If I think back on my voting history, I’ve voted for most of the political parties at one time or another.

I’m comfortable with that.

After listening to all the promises and possibilities put forward by candidates, I always put an X beside the candidate I think is the best person for the job.