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by Sandra Massey As the Research Program Coordinator for Heritage Saskatchewan I work from my home office or as I prefer to call it, my study. I spend a fair amount of time talking to myself so when I was asked to write a blog I got quite excited. Here is an opportunity to communicate with others outside - in the real world. I look forward to your comments and questions. Let the conversation begin. My job is to connect Living Heritage to any and all aspects of quality of life. You may have read the booklet “Living Heritage & Quality of Life: Reframing Heritage Activity in Saskatchewan” (available on this web site) which outlines these connections with very broad strokes. I am currently reading and thinking about the new economy, consumer choice theory and change management since they all have obvious connections to Living Heritage. Our values, beliefs and way of life are reflected in the choices we make every day as a consumer and as a citizen. Throughout the current election campaign I have heard much about the importance of the economy and the suggestion has been made that the economy is in fact what Canadians care most about. I find this hard to believe. I think what most people care most about, is other people; their family, friends, and neighbours; their colleagues at work and others they interact with on a daily basis. People generally care most about the people they love and those that love them. The economy is not a thing that can be cared about - it is a limitless series of transactions that people have engaged in since - well since people have been on the planet. If I have something you want and you have something I want then we can agree to trade - assuming we both agree that what I have is as valuable as what you have. This is where the consumer choice theory comes into play. On the other hand, if I have something you want and you are bigger and stronger than me, you can just take it and I won’t be able to do much about it. This is how wars are started which by the way are really good for the economy because they require lots of people, materials and provisions to fight them with. So to say a particular activity or strategy is good for the economy is not to say that it is good for people. On the contrary - it could be very bad for people and/or the planet we live on. So before you go to the polls to vote and I am assuming you intend to exercise your right to vote - find out what each candidate in your riding thinks is the most important issue. Ask them what they value most in life and what they are prepared to do to create the best conditions to ensure quality of life in your community, in Canada and around the world. Then make sure you go out and vote! The democratic process can’t survive without you.