I like to know what is going on. I pay attention to social networking sites, I read as much as I can and I listen to broadcasts and banter. Sometimes I'm still completely out of touch and hear about things happening here from someone across the province. I was shocked by news from our community late last week and still haven't found any hard facts beyond the RCMP press release.
As we get closer to election day I want as many facts as I can find. I want to see federal parties and local potential beyond the paid advertising, sound bites and prepared statements. This week I had the opportunity at an all-candidates forum in the nearest small city. It was interesting to see what the bold members of the crowd saw as important and the questions put forward to the men at the table.
Over the last couple of decades I've thought my ideas were better than any politician's and I had fleeting thoughts of running in some sort of election. There have always been good reasons why I haven't, including the need to be at home for my young children and establishing myself as a writer and artist.
This week I've added an even better reason to the list. After paying close attention to the questions and answers at the forum I realized even though I think I know a fair bit about a lot of topics, a politician needs to know a little bit about almost everything and I don't have that confidence or ability to retain and recall information so quickly. I was impressed with everyone's ability to answer the questions and was happy to see the national party left out of the national debates represented and able to bring up concerns. Even though he is a long shot to win a seat it was important for me to see the table with the person who will represent us have a public discussion and see the members of the audience who shared those concerns.
It is by sharing ideas we grow and it is easy to see not everyone in this country thinks the same or will vote the same but everyone deserves to be represented.With all of the attention surrounding the youth vote I was disappointed more young people were not in attendance at the forum especially since it was held at the college.
It is actually turning into quite an interesting campaign and I know I'll be watching what happens on Monday after I head out to the polls and cast my vote.
