In all fairness to other parties running in this election, there are certainly reasons to vote otherwise than by party line. How do we elect individuals who can actually make a difference if we only vote by old conventions, long-held biases and opinions and steadfast beliefs that we have to support the party we have always chosen?
There are examples of two other ways to vote in this election:1. Vote to elect the best MHA for your area. Perhaps in the current district you are in, the person who represents it makes a great cabinet minister or adds diversity to government but is the pits of an MHA. Consider how connected to the people s/he is but also consider how effective the individual is when it comes to actually achieving something for the district without driving nuts all others connected to the reins of power. Exanmple? Kevin Aylward when he was MHA for Stephenville. Party affiliation meant little to Kevin in the grand scheme of things, Kevin was all about his district, his people and building bridges to achieve what he could for his constituents and really put himself lower on the list of priorities.
2. Vote to elect someone who can make a real difference. IN this instance, an individual who brings something to government or at least the House of Assembly (or Parliament) that is desperately needed. I think a great example of this is the former leader of the Liberal Party in Newfoundland who had the knife driven in and twisted in his back by the elite of his own Liberal party. I speak of Jim Bennett, of course.
"Now Ward" you say "These are clearly two Liberals, and you are clearly anti-Liberal". Not exactly correct. I am anti mantra, anti Kool-Aid. I am clearly against hatred voting and getting caught up in the BS I'm hearing coming out of this campaign.
Here we have the greatest Premier in our history, not Bond perhaps, but one of the closest since. And he's being attacked on issues that are minute in comparison to great things that have been achieved by his government.
Should there be ample Labrador power available to all Labradorians? OF COURSE! Clearly a terrible mis-speak or omission in the releases that came forward concerning the new Energy Plan. But this is easy to address, and redress is hardly even necessary as it will be a part of the implementation. The Lower Churchill power has to run on the Provincial Power Grid, not an isolated transmission line with the words "Nyahh ne Nyahh nyah, no soup for you!" adorning banners strewn from it.
Be well! Vote for the future, not based on past grievances.