(e.) None of the Above

On Oct. 21, Canadians (et Canadiens) go to the polls to vote in a federal election.

Vote because you can. Vote because you should. Vote because political parties don’t want you to unless the vote is for their side. Who to vote for?

As for me, not the Liberal Party of Canada, because of the reneging on last time’s (2015) promise of proportional representation.

Not for the Conservatives, unless and until the word progressive with a capital “P” takes its rightful place on their banner.

Not for the Greens, as Neo-luddites should be feared and shown back to their caves deep in the forest.

And, not the New Democratic Party, because the high-water mark reached by the late Jack Layton will not be surpassed, now or in the future. The dust bin of history awaits the party of Tommy Douglas and Ed Broadbent. (The Old Man always called him Ned Broadback, much to Mother’s amusement.)

Besides, local star candidate Jack Harris is well past his best before date — federally, provincially, and municipally.

So (to quote master builder Gilbert Bennett), who will I vote for?

I will go into the polling booth, grasp the stub of pencil provided in my good right fist, print at the bottom of the slip of paper NOTA (none of the above), scrawl a foursided box to the right of it and mark my X (yes, mine) within that box.

Peaceful protest is necessary at times and always legitimate.

Care to join in the serious sport of politician baiting at your (yes, your) local polling station?

Tom Careen Placentia