Here we are again at a political juncture, all the parties bickering and arguing about what they have done in the past and more so what their opponents have done in the past, also proclaiming that what they will do for the next four years will be wonderful or at least better than the other guy.
I have been wondering if a motive for a political loss is driven by a vision that the economy is going south anyway, so better to let the other guy take the hit for hard times, and then come back with blame and reproach for mismanaging government. The debate was good evidence of that, with party leaders talking over each other with total disrespect, and blaming each other for economic downturns that they had no control over in the first place.
Knowing the facts and telling the truth seems to be the hardest thing for politicians. Maybe they just can't know all the facts so they make some up.
It is exceedingly obvious that every party is all about getting in or staying in, scratching and clawing on the precipitous ledge, while kicking their fellow politicians in the teeth and stamping on their fingers with the hope they will hang on to power and at least get their pension.
Power seems to be the driving force behind most political motives.
Aside from the loose cannon south of the border, few politicians have such power.
NAFTA is now in danger, not so much because of economics, but because someone's drinking buddy is getting stung by the low value of the Canadian dollar. We may have to start viewing our southern neighbour as we would North Korea, volatile and unpredictable, not a good mix for solid business investment.
Wherever we are going in this election, there will be a lot of dissatisfied people ready to blame someone else. If you don't vote, you'll get blamed and if you do vote, you'll also get blamed, but maybe not for the same reasons.
Not voting is the bigger risk to democracy and I like that we still have a say.
I'm going to take a risk and vote anyway.
Robert Clayton
Prince George
