Election Issues

Next Monday is our local Election Day, and as of yet, I know next to nothing about most of the candidates.  I'm hoping to have some time this weekend (maybe between going into the library for a program on Saturday and then again on Sunday) to read up on what each of them are promising.

But then again, it might be simpler not to.  I already know of two people I plan to vote for because I've seen proof that they are pro-library.  It's a limited amount of data to know about a person, I admit, but as a practical matter, knowing someone is in favour of the organization that pays my salary is more useful to me than any number of promises about fixing potholes or lowering taxes.  (Please note that I picked those two topics of discussion out of thin air -- I'm not using them to single out any of the candidates).

Similarly, I know one or two people I really don't want to vote for.  Again, it's based on a very limited thing -- their campaign signs.  As a library technician, I know the dangers of judging a book by its cover.  However, I've also come to a point in my life where a lousy cover makes me wonder where else the publisher and/or author cut corners in the book.  Was it edited poorly?  Is the author coasting on past successes?  If a candidate makes a sign that makes me shake my head and wonder what they were thinking, I start to question that candidate's judgement a little.  They've already failed in their first test, and they haven't been elected yet.

So we'll see what happens.  I plan to do my duty and vote.  I just don't know how much more informed my vote will be than it currently is...