Tuesday, June 9, Nova Scotians go to the polls again.<\/p>\n
I have intentionally avoided discussing politics in this blog.\u00a0 But today I overheard a comment that revealed why so many people do not vote.\u00a0 Referring to political candidates of all parties, this man said, “They’re all the same.\u00a0 They’re in it to get what they can and then get out.”<\/p>\n
His friend cleverly managed to avoid an argument while expressing disagreement.\u00a0 “Not the one I’m voting for!” he replied.<\/p>\n
The first speaker’s roots in the province run deep. His comment no doubt reflected Nova Scotia’s outdated tradition of political cronyism and patronage – a system that has limited the provincial government’s effectiveness for more than a century.<\/p>\n
The second, less cynical, speaker is a relative newcomer to the province and has probably met more politicians of various stripes.\u00a0 He has been deeply impressed by some of these, though not by others.<\/p>\n
There are many very sincere candidates on all sides.\u00a0 Some of them could make more money elsewhere but choose to serve as legislators.\u00a0 It is not an easy choice; the rough-and-tumble of our adversarial system, the stress on families, the uncertainties of continued employment, etc. all take their toll.<\/p>\n