Since the day I turned 18, I have taken my vote very seriously. I enjoy politics and political contests, and although it's a small contribution, I've always enjoyed casting my ballot for "the best" candidate.

However, the dynamic is different this year. The political parties have become a collective "Dumb and Dumber" of sorts. In Prince Edward Island, we have four parties competing for my vote; or better put, competing to lose it.

The NDP had the best solution for ensuring they didn't get my vote. They didn't even run a candidate in my riding of Malpeque; nor did they run a candidate in Egmont, a riding which includes PEI's second largest city, Summerside. If they can't even get someone to run in two ridings, how can they expect me or anyone else to vote for them.

They don't even believe in themselves.

The Green Party sounds like a real nice bunch of people. I share their 10 Key Values as I'm sure most people do. However, they are a one dimensional party, all for social justice and nothing for everything else.

If they were to form a government, and let's face it is never going to happen, Canada would be a beautiful place to die. We would be living in a 60s-esque country where everyone loved everyone, the hungry were fed, the sick were healed, the air was clean, the endangered animals were safe and everyone had an equal share of the pie. The problem is, without a reasonable economic strategy, the pie would be gone by the end of four years.

As a hungry Canadian, I'd rather have a smaller piece of a sour pie, than none of a sweet one, especially if I was hungry.

The New Conservative Party scares me. In the past, I have voted for Progressive Conservative candidates in elections, including the current Provincial Government under Pat Binns. Generally, they are moderate, mainstream and responsible, but this New Conservative Party is different. It's rooted, of course, in the old Progressive Conservative Party and the former Reform Party. As a person from Atlantic Canada, I have feared the Reform Party's rise to prominence. Accusations of elitism and bigotry have long plagued their rise in Atlantic Canada and indeed with me.

Statements regarding Atlantic Canada's dependence on Federal Government money, transfer payments, and their statements against the French language developed a distrust in the Reform/Alliance Party that I felt could never be overcome. However, when the Progressive Conservatives decided to rejoin the two parties, I tried to open my mind to the new dynamic. I could not and I'm not alone. One of the most respected Progressive Conservative leaders since the 70s and Canada's Youngest Prime minister (at 39), Joe Clark announced this spring he would be canvassing for the Conservative gone Liberal candidate for Kings-Hants in Nova Scotia, Scott Brison.

Here's a quote from Scott Brison that sums up the "wolf in sheep's clothing" nature of the New Conservative Party and its leader:
"The New Conservative Party is the Alliance Party in panty-hose. Stephen Harper is Stockwell Day (the one-time Alliance leader) with a library card. He's much more dangerous than Stockwell Day because he can make a point that is an anathema to Canadians." - from an article on CTV.ca.

Talk about trusting your politicians, I'm convicting them.

The Liberal Party is running by far the most viable candidate in Malpeque. Wayne Easter was first elected in 1993 and has held that post ever since. By most accounts, Easter has done a good job. He has held various positions in Liberal Governments in recent years including Solicitor General of Canada. If you're looking for someone who can make a difference, he's the closest to the "powers that be" and "the powers that will be" of all the candidates.

But, what does Wayne's Party stand for. They'd like us to think they stand for health care, economic growth and education, but they have had 10+ years under Chretien to show us, and instead they've been scarred by scandals and misuse of Government funds (my money). Although I have not supported all the charges against the Liberal Government, if they were running on their record, they might as well be running on their love for Lawrence Welk and Polka music.

However, when you measure them up against the "Knock, Knock! Who's there? No one!" party, the "empty plate" party and the "guerrilla politics" party they start sounding pretty good.

The 2004 election for me and likely many others can be summed up by an old saying, "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't."