Election Day

Election day is always exciting for me whether it is municipal, provincial or federal. There is something special about seeing people putting their name forward to try to be the peoples representative. It takes courage to step forward and the election that is taking place today will have  more losers than winners if you just count the votes. To my way of thinking there will be no losers as the very fact that people got involved in the democratic process makes them a winner.

Our most precious gift that democracy has to offer is the vote. The right to elect representatives by secret ballot guarantees our democratic expression through the ballot. Our party system has some flaws whereby once elected members are expected to follow party lines instead of following their conscience.

Ontario has an opportunity to elect a new government today and there are clear choices. The four parties looking for a mandate made their platform known and have been campaigning in person and through the various media. Much negative advertising has been evident and many half truth spread through the media confuses  many voters. The results of the vote today will determine our government for the next four years. Hopefully everyone will accept the results and consider the newly elected government as everyone's and support it until the next call in four years.

Our turnout for provincial elections has been dismal so get involved and get out and vote. My 96 year old mother in law will vote today and considers it not only a right but a privilege. I will be anxious to see the results which will be basically known by 10 pm.