Only On The Walters Post
I’ve been thinking a lot about these election polls we keep seeing — especially here in Canada. They’re everywhere, like weeds in spring, and folks seem to treat them like gospel. Trouble is, I think too many folks let those numbers do their thinking for them.
Here’s what I mean.
It seems like a lot of people don’t bother digging into the bigger picture anymore — what a candidate really stands for, what their record says about them, or where they might take the country. Instead, they just glance at the polls and go, “Well, looks like he or she’s ahead. Might as well vote for the winner.”
Why is that?
I figure a lot of folks just like backing a winner. Gives them that little boost — that statistic satisfaction, you might say. They can tell themselves, “Well, I voted for the one who got in,” as if that alone makes it the right choice. It’s kind of like cheering for the top team in a league, just so you can feel like you’re part of something successful — even if you’ve got no idea what game’s being played.
Problem is, when you vote like that, you’re not thinking about the real cost.
And speaking of cost — have we already forgotten what the last bunch in power here did? Billions added to the national debt, bad decisions that left a mess behind, and not much in the way of accountability. It seems to me people are quick to overlook all that, so long as the polls show their pick is out front.
That’s the danger of letting polls lead the charge. We end up electing based on momentum, not merit. And then we’re left cleaning up after the same kind of leadership that put us in this hole to begin with.
Polls have their place, sure. But they shouldn’t be steering the ship. If we want to keep this country on solid ground, we’ve got to vote with our heads and our hearts — not just follow the crowd.
So with this election coming up, it might pay to take a step back. Look past the numbers. Ask yourself what really matters to you — and whether the person you’re backing stands a chance of doing right by it. Because in the end, a country isn’t built by winners — it’s built by folks who think for themselves.
Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW