The Political Musings of a Party Un-faithful

I am not a party faithful.  At one time or another through my history of voting I have cast my ballot for every political party.  Sometimes it has been a vote for the individual candidate, other times it was a vote for the party.  No one political group encapsulates all of my desires for leadership and no leader has all of the characteristics that I desire.

                Still, I always vote.

                But first, I always do my homework - a lot of it.  Parties, candidates, platforms and histories – they all get checked out in detail.  At times I vote “against” – to get the group that has disappointed me out.  I have voted strategically – choosing to use my vote to support the one with the best chance of beating a candidate that, well, a candidate who scares me.

                But I vote.

                Always.

                I’ve even gone so far as to arrange for a return trip from abroad to coincide with election day – with my election ID card carefully stuffed in with my passport.

                I always vote.

                Dedication? No.  Commitment to the process, you bet!

                My father lived in Canada for all but a few years back when he was a toddler.  He remained a U.S. citizen and had Landed Immigrant status here in Canada until his death in 1999.  But he always wanted to vote.  The year that I turned 18 there was a Provincial Election to be held (in Ontario).  It was my moment.  It was my turn; I could finally cast a ballot.

                My father offered me $20 for me to vote for who he told me to.  I lost it!  And his response?  “Then you’d better know who you’re voting for. Don’t ever, ever throw it away by choosing to to cast a ballot for someone you don’t know a thing about or, even worse, to vote for someone or a party that you don’t believe in just because it’s the trendy thing to do.”

                I listened.  So I started to really pay attention.

                My many, many friends are passionate about a wide variety of issues.  For some it is the environment, for others lower taxes.  For some it is clean water and for others it’s post-secondary education.  And then there are those who list supporting non-profits, child safety, disaster relief, human treatment of animals, fair treatment for all regardless of gender identity or if they’re LGBTQ. I have a friend who carries the mantle for each of these causes.  There is no one political party who can address all of these issues to the satisfaction of any who are passionate about them.

                So, choose.  Pick your passion. Find a candidate who speaks with a voice that seems familiar to your ears and who might, if successful, be an advocate for what is important to you.

Vote.  It’s not only your right, it’s your obligation.