[BlackRose]

Actually one of the biggest problems facing the Greens is the concept of a 'wasted vote' making most people think that voting Green is like not voting at all.

1: Well every vote that goes green is a $1.75 out of the Liberal or Conservitive or NDP or Bloc pocket (all in all there are about 23 million votes cast, thats a lot of coin). This money would go to the green party. If they get enough standing they could have swing votes or, god forbid, the right to be at the next leaders debate.

2: Voting Green shows that we are not pleased with voting for the least of 4 devils. Personally I dont like our system (albeit better than the US system) and would like to make a statement that Non traditional parties can take non traditional avenues into office.

3: Balance: Most would agree that the Conservitaves are right wing, many canadians like their economic stance but are turned off by a number of their 'views' on rights and freedoms. The NDP have a horrible economic platform but many Canadians believe in their 'views' thus we end up with a Liberal Government who seems to be more interested in wasting money that holding up to that balanced mandate they are so proud of. To me the Greens seem more balanced than the NDP or Conservitives and dont have the HORRIBLE record of the Liberals. They also seem to take clear posistions on things unlike Martin's liberals (anyone really know his parties stance on gay marriage yet? Or who was responsible for the sponsership scandel? Or know the justification for draining 45 billion out of our EI surpluss making our reserve EI fund now at 0 dollars? Nevermind what the heck his party is doing for or against Kyoto (IE Saying they support it yet doing nothing to bring the country up to those standards).

I think that the majority of Canadians are somewhat sick of things as our voter turnout has dropped 16 % since 93 (now sitting at around 61%). Thats why i'm voting green, its a message and a potential future I feel comfortable with. I refuse to reward corruption and I fail to see the lofty LEFT/RIGHT views of the other two parties.

It isnt a wasted vote, in fact it might just be your best spent vote, if we dont see the change this election we'll see it next election if we continue to show our displeasure in the traditional parties and our mounting belief in a new party.

[ June 19, 2004, 23:26: Message edited by: BlackRose ]