In roughly 10 days Ontario will vote. We’ll either retain McGuinty for the Liberals as Premier or give someone like Tory for the Progressive Conservatives or Hampton of the NDP a shot at the helm. The polls at this point seem to be unsure if we’re looking at a majority or minority government.

The race for the main spot seems to be between McGuinty and Tory. If the province goes to a minority government, Hampton will have the balance of power, meaning that his support will be required to keep the government alive.

As in most elections, I have to make a choice between basing my voting choice on the local candidates or the leaders of their respective parties. This could change on election day if voters support a proposed electoral reform plan to bring in Mixed Member Proportional. I’ve already come out opposed to this proposal even though it would give me two votes, one for the local candidate of my choice and one for the leader.

The local Liberal and Conservative candidates are both good choices. The incumbent Liberal hasn’t been exactly stunning in the legislature but by all accounts he has represented the riding well in the last four years. His opponent from the Conservatives lives locally, has a history of strong community involvement. The NDP and Green candidates I have zero awareness of and can’t say I’m particularly concerned about even considering either of them.

So, with a more or less equal race in the riding, I look at the leaders of the two parties. In the last election, I voted Liberal but only because I felt that the local candidate was a far better choice. I wasn’t too impressed with McGuinty. I felt he was trying to be all things to all people which usually means you end up being nothing to anyone. I did respect Ernie Eves who struck me as a more moderate, almost liberal Conservative. (I know, what an oxymoron)

Four years on, I’ve formed a different view of McGuinty. I have to admire the fact that has the courage to admit his errors and move on. He admits he broke promises from the last election (what politician doesn’t). In doing so, he admitted that his promises were rather rashly made without knowing the whole picture. A concern I had when he was making his promises in such a grandiose manner.

He’s learned to be more cautious, to not pass judgment or make rash promises without first learning the facts. He introduced a health tax for which he’s been heavily censored. I don’t believe there is any question that this has raised revenue which has enabled the provincial government to increase spending in the health care area. There are still thousands of Ontarians, including myself, without a doctor but doctors are not produced in a short period of time.

There has been relative peace in the educational field during the last four years. Spending which had been cut to drastically low levels under the Harris Conservatives. All three current leaders are promising to increase educational spending.

Tory claims he will find 1.5billion in ‘efficiencies’ to save money which wont include service cuts and that he will phase out the health tax. I’m left rather puzzled how he’s going to decrease government revenue while increasing government spending. When my income drops my spending can’t increase without going into debt. That might explain why McGuinty found an unreported $5billion deficit when he took over from the PCs. That sleight of hand is not unique.. seems to be Peterson left the NDP a deficit when he left office after reporting that the province’s books were balanced.

Liars, damn liars. Time to choose the least liar of them all… or so is the hope.

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notice: The content of this post contains my opinions and my right to express them. I will respect your right to express your opinion in the comments as long as you’re not abusive and you respect my right to my opinion.

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