Good job, Mike

Well done, Mike. You looked at the issues..thought about it and voted accordingly. I wonder if I could ever vote NDP. They were the only party claiming to protect the Midicare system as it is and that was on my mind. Having a wife who has used the system extensivley during her battle with breast cancer I saw the need to protect "a" system whereby Canadians can have proper health care without bankrupting themselves. That being said I think the NDPs fiscal policies would bankrupt the country so I didn't vote for them.

Then came the Greens. Fiscally conservative, socially liberal and enviromentally conscious. Perfect! But, not a snowballs chance in hell of winning anything so I didn't vote for them.

Now the Liberals. During Mr Martins time as PM I thought he was an example of true incompetence and ineptitude. But I thought that may be a misconception so I paid close attention to his campaign. My suspicions were confirmed. Political campaigns are a reflection on the leader and I saw a reflection of someone who had no business being a national leader. I also saw a party that was "against" something but never told us what they were "for". That was the same mistake the Democrats made in the last US election. People vote for parties and leaders who tell us where they want the country to go not where they don't want it to go.

Then I looked at the Conservatives. What I saw was a professional, well run campaign. I saw a party that had moved to the centre away from the more controversial views of some in the party. I like my governments to work from the centre. The Tories spent their time talking about policies and plans for Canada. For Mr Harper to take two warring parties, PC and Alliance, and unite them into a cohesive force for change takes real leadership. Leadership is something that has been missing in Canadian politics for some time now. Do we have it now. I hope so but only time will tell.

If my Tories disappoint me maybe I'll join my son in voting for NDP. Now that would be a change, eh

On another note Olivia helped me hold the pencil when I voted. Does that count as her first vote?

See ya in Ottawa at Easter.

Dad