Why I vote

If I didn’t write about the upcoming provincial election, you’d think I didn’t care. I do care. Like a lot of people, I think I’ve heard all of the promises shouted from “party platforms” and watched the disgusting mudslinging. I’d be lying if I said my trip to NYC was all about seeing the sights and enjoying a Broadway show.

Our travelling party, of four, had more than a bit of cocktail time during our stay and provincial politics and the upcoming election were usually discussed. Two of my travelling friends live in NDP country in downtown Toronto. Both suggested LOML and I should just pack the County house and move back to the city rather than see another Liberal or “worse” Conservative candidate represent our riding. It was during one of our afternoon cocktail moments, I actually (for the first time, ever) revealed my political party choice, this time around (it might have been the wine). One of our friends actually gasped and told me I was a naive voter and was wasting a vote. Wow, I’m a lot of things, but naive at the ballot box? I don’t think so. Wasting a vote. Them’s fighting words.

I always vote for the political party that most closely represents my opinions and hopes for the future. I knew it was coming, and wasn’t surprised, when in her next breath, she told me my political choice didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of leading anyone or anything in the upcoming provincial election. And, voters like me ensure a disappointing outcome. Furthermore, she went on to blather, it was bloody (although she said a nastier word) unlikely anyone in that particular party would even win a seat. If you know me, and y’all do, it gave me great pleasure to tell her I thought her misguided notion of strategic/ tactical voting was just shovelful of her sanctimonious bullshit.

Her face turned a delightful shade of “green” and her hand actually shook as she “strategically” placed her wine glass on the table, glared at me, sniffed and said, “If you actually understood tactical voting you’d know what a waste your vote will be.”

I suggested she could be right about the outcome, but then, she might have to eat her words. I, also, had the nerve to suggest if we all voted for the party that mostly closely represented our concerns, we wouldn’t have to play childish voting games. And on and on we went. She said. I said. I think she’s full of it and she thinks I waste good votes on politicians who care about what happens from “the bottom up.”

I will vote for the party that cares about where the food comes from and supports family farms. I will vote for the party that wants to address energy concerns by looking at how we can reduce consumption before telling us where the turbines and nuclear generating stations will be located. I’ll vote for the party that wants our health care system to work for everyone. I won’t vote strategically. I’ll vote honestly.

So, now you know my feelings about voting. Since I was a kid, I figured you voted for what was right in your books. I get to express my opinion when I vote. Whether my shaky-handed friend believes it or not, my vote counts. The ballot I cast counts whether or not I vote strategically or tactically or sophisticatedly. My naive vote is a message to the candidate. The message is, “I heard you. I like what I heard. I hope I’ll be hearing from you for the next four years.” It’s a real vote of confidence.

theresa@wellingtontimes.ca