‘sa may 10r0 = taney tetera en rnnaaberasemyore ane reaapptatlenens nareeegsashtnbearoneiadttseats tae nentrrenpnmittena nr ntresiN met ee, COTES RESIST ERITT ED a second opinwon Veandidates make a erence? was struck by this ques- earlier this week atter lerating ail-candidates ves for atic two North ‘e federal ridings, ‘he debates witl be dvast for a second time evening on Ragers Cable uters can see thelr candi sin West Vancouver: ihine Coast at 7 p.m. and th Vancouver at $:30 was much impressed by ‘libre ofall those whe eeking to serve as our MPs. The debates were ghetul, civil and surpris- well-mannered, In fact, wasin’t for the presence ne female candidates in riding (Lisa Barrett in Vancouver: Suushine tand Peggy Stortz in h Vancouver, both rep- ing, the Green Party), | ithave said the encoun: were dawnright gentle- ers have a strong fleld af very pood candidates to choose from. But does it anager? Will voters cast their ballots for the best candidate, or will they make theit decision based upon other considers tions? It's not a simple question ro answer and there have been libraries of political sei- ence literature devoted to the subject over the years. And in this election in particular, it’s worth reflecting upon the reasons why we vore the way! we do. ‘Yhe quatities and capabili- ties of local candidates abvi- ously are a fetor — although research suggests it may be the deciding influence for only a small percentage of YORE, Ian age when news and media coverage of elections seems so dominated by tele vision, Us not surprising that the personalities of party leaders have a disproportion: ate sway upon voters. Even though Jean Chretien, Preston Manning, Jean Charest and Alexa McDonough acen’t cunning onthe North Shore, it's a sate bet that these leaders will have more influence on how we vote than the candi- dates for their parties whose names appear on our ballots. Then there's the much- discussed phenomenan of | north shore news TEWPOINT their ballots, Por instance, it’s assumed that the desire to replace the Bloe Quebecois as the Offeial Opposition in the House of Commons inay prompt same voters to support the party they feel is most likely to move into second place, Do voters really behave this way? There’s no evidence tu prove it, but the election resulis on Monday night may provide some clues, It's also argued that some people vote for strictly nega tive reasons, In other words, we vote against something or someone, father than in favor ofany particular candidate or party, We've certainly seen proof of this negative style of politics at the provineial level in our province, but does the disease infect the federal field as well? Then, of course, there are issues, Policies. Party plat- forms, This is what demacra- cy is supposed to be all about: rational human beings voting for the candidate who espouses jaiiiciples and pro- grams with whieh we most agree. During die all-canidi- dates debates whieh Emader- ated there was titelligent dis- cussion af a wide range of Issues! pun control, health care, law and order, jabs, international trade, taxation, national unity, and amany othe ers, Will voters support the wirty Whose platform is most i accord with dheir own per: sonal views? Tn some cases, yes, but unfortunately poli- tics isn’t really all that easy, or that logical, OFall the reasans for vot: ing — or not voting -- fora particular candidate or party, the worst one Pve heard is the fear of fosing one’s bal tot. According tu this approach, you should be concerned about not “wast- ing” your vate by supporting a candidate or party that has no realistic chance ef wine ning. Or, alternately, some couples say they don't vote for different candidates PE ghee re Ip ee Friday, May 30, 1997 ~ North Shora News ~ 7 beeause they don't wish to cancel each other's votes, ‘This doctrine of the wast- eal ballat is nonsense, Chere's simply no such thing as los- ing your vote, Your democra: tic franchise, expressed by a secret ballot in the privacy of the voting booth, isa riysht that can never be taken Tor granted, nor can it be wast cd. In fact, the only way to lose your vote is to forfeit it by not voting at all, There are many excellent candidates running on the North Shore, Any one of | ae : = 6 Ww ‘Current Divid _ BANK PREFERRED SHARES © Safety of Capital © Liquid © Quarterly Income © Preferred Tax Treatment Minimum investment of $25,000. SE Ten TT ey nr wr es re orb para mr y rale o tangle rm oe Ae etre y 1 4 3 + cosevonmanvupenseesmastenr enue puta uneneerante cates etstrpanyasseirttaattentaena Onn estos pense cutsensOhAhWOnh i 4 arwhetneisNeniiet Bi-nnens bait cel cnamnienteg AAG anemerntienstltAtie Seti RPTEASISAON (OETA Vo such thing as a lost v then Is potentially deserving at your support, Reysardless of why you vote the way you do, or whos you decide ty vote for, the important thing is to exercise your franchise, Don't forget to vote on Monday sm ‘The Novth Share News believes strongly in freedom of speech and the vight of all sides in at debate to be beard, The columnists published in the News present differing points of view, but thase views are nat wecessarily those ofthe newspa- per itself. 1 : cy end Vield ~ Lawentian Bank Class A Preferred Shares as of April 28/2997, Park Royal ye e Eye Clinic General Eye Care Contact Lens Children’s Vision Service OD Ge Prices and rates subject tv change and aradable without notice. ‘Ter beenstors with total txconse over $.30,006/r. laters! nqubrabeed plaid bs 8.527%. 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