Do You Vote For The “Party” or the “Candidate”?

 

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA – SEPTEMBER 08: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump greets South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem after she introduced him at the Monument Leaders Rally hosted by the South Dakota Republican Party on September 08, 2023 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Noem endorsed Trump during the event. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

When you vote in an election do you vote for the “Party” or the “Candidate”?

I consider myself a “NDP”er, not a Liberal or Conservative.

After 50 years of religiously voting NDP, I broke that false loyalty and voted for Mark Carney for Prime Minister.

Yes, I betrayed my Party.

BUT …..

By voting for a candidate solely because they represent “your” party nullifies the moral validity of your vote.

Voting out of what’s expected by your party member’s brotherhood and expectations of the “Party” is not a negative action.

It’s not a positive gesture either .

However, your vote becomes “generic”. Becoming a clone-like identical vote shared by the majority of Party Members.

Many voices promoting the objective:

“Vote in the leader of our party.”

Paying little attention to their idealisms or political intentions.

Makes no difference, no matter what their campaign, you are expected to vote for your Party.

If you are a “sheeple” you cast your ballot for your “people”.

“THE PARTY”

The informed voter may well be a devoted member of the Party and shares the same values as all members.

But, elections focus are solely on the promises and actions of the Candidate.

But having put the politics of dancing with politics on the back burner allows for a study of the Candidates and their political agendas.

We are too focused on “promoting” our political alliance to our decided “Party”.

Being out of political focus is costing us.

Costing valuable time and resources that may best be used to improve the successfulness of the ruling government.

Times have changed!

Bob Dylan’s song, “The Times They Are A Changing” is no longer our rally tune!

The change has a strong foothold in society.

Now when we vote, we must listen closely to, watch closely and vote for the “Candidate”.

The days of voting for your Party are over.

Our votes, here and now, in this year of 2026, must be judged directly due to the rhetoric of the Candidate.

For it will be the “Candidate” who is “your” voice.

Not your voice belonging solely to your “Party”.

Modern day society has shown us that some Candidates are not as great as their followers had thought them to be.

(I’m not mentioning Donald J Trump’s name.)

Good night, Campers!!!