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Yes, our thoughts are turning to Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, New Year and for others there are different dates to mark. For politicians next year is a biggie. Time to put the game face on run for or to keep their office.
Working in the media I’m expecting to be bombarded by releases and have to read, listen and watch the political process as it evolves. In Alberta there will a chance to vote in 2019 twice, first in the provincial election and later in the federal.
As a potential voter I’m going to vent what I’m personally looking for in a candidate and party that’s likely to get my vote. I’m going to say here that locally it’s the candidate that’s going to be of prime importance to me. The party doesn’t matter. I want to think that I’m voting for a candidate that’s going to do their best for my riding. Doing what I do it’s likely that I’m going to know them personally. Should there not be clear choice for me on the candidate I’m going to be looking at the parties and their leaders.
Here it gets more complicated. I’ve noticed of late that speeches are lengthy but seem to say little of substance. Personally, I don’t like the practice, not just in Canada, of having groups, even crowds of people standing behind the speaker. Is it to show by the great diversity standing behind them that they represent everyone? Or is it that they’re afraid of being alone? To me it comes across as a cynical PR trick.
I don’t like negative politics, blaming the other guy for everything. To me it smacks of school yard fighting, childish. I want to see the presentation of solutions not problems, unless there is a solution to go with it of course. Clear, understandable policies please. Better yet, why not crossparty discussion or the promise to do it? Why is one party’s policy 100 per cent right, the other 100 per cent wrong and vice versa? Not logical.
In an ideal world I would like to see politicians across the board setting an example for younger generations. Many do but sadly many do not. Also, on the campaign trail, please answer the question, not another one, not ignore it, not dance a little side step and prattle on about something else. Be honest, answer the question, if you don’t know, say so, but promise to find out and get back to the questioner.
That leaves me with promises. To me they are golden and should never be made unless they are as good as a done deal. If a politician can’t make a promise be honest and qualify it. Better that then look bad later down the road. And, why can’t we address why large tranches of our population don’t vote. A bigger turnout might shake things up a bit. Or, is that the problem?