Orleans Weekly Journal
Published: Friday, September 5, 2008

Election call echoes in east end 

The federal election is upon us and my name isn’t on the ballot. Yet a part of me quietly pines for that mythical day in the future when I perhaps seek to serve again.  

But don’t fret, we’ve got a simple deal at the Robinson household: I’m allowed to run again when the mortgage is paid off. And as that day draws closer, I suspect my wife will tell me it’s time for a bigger house! So I will watch this election with a surreal sense of quasi-detachment.

By this time next week our boulevards and major arterial roads will be littered, er, I mean populated by Royal Galipeau (Conservative candidate and current MP) and Marc Godbout (Liberal candidate and former MP in the Paul Martin government) signs along with smaller signs from the NDP, the Greens and others.

As much as these signs are a five-week blight on the landscape along with the constant door-knocking from candidates and canvassers blitzing or phoning our neighbourhoods, it is democracy in action. Moreover, the women and men who will place their names on the ballot do so of their own free will and put their lives on hold in their quest to serve.

Having been to this movie before, I commend their noble ambition. In addition, I salute their families for the support and strength they will give you over the coming weeks.

As for issues, unfortunately it is tough for any candidate to drive a local issue into the campaign. In a suburban riding such as ours, not to mention living in the nation’s capital, the national debate and party polling numbers will, in large part, determine the voting intentions of about eight out of every 10 voters.

Local candidates and their own track records, ideas and organizations will determine, at most, 20 per cent of their campaign result. This isn’t ideal, but it is the reality both federally and provincially and any candidate – victor or also-ran – who claims different is being disingenuous. This is not to diminish the efforts of local partisans and volunteers who believe in the party, leader or candidate; their work is invaluable.

And in close races where the margin of victory is under 2,000 votes, the local campaign, not the national dynamic, can and usually does make the difference between campaign cheers or tears.

We often take our democracy for granted. So we should remember that two-thirds of the world’s population do not enjoy the privilege – dare I say right – to be governed democratically.

Regardless of who you vote for, I encourage you to become involved or at the very least, informed. It’s not only your right, I think it is also your responsibility.

But don’t take my word for it. Plato said it best: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Hope to see you on the hustings or at the debates.