Marcy Markusa: Election talk at the dinner table

I don't know about you,but there sure is a lot of election discussion going on at our dinner table right now.I find it interesting to watch and listen as people I know and love debate and discuss the issues that are important to them both personally and more broadly as Canadians.

The reason I am pointing this out is that I actually didn't grow up with these kinds of discussions.

Open discussion about political views is certainly something new within my extended family. Voting was talked about, but sharing how and why you were choosing the party you were voting for was left out of it.

I believe it stems from the old adage that you don't make small talk about religion or politics.It also likely comes from a fear about upsetting another family member and causing an irreparable rift in the family.

However, the joy of my weekend came as two family members with mostly opposingpoints of view on values, religion and community got into a heated discussion at Thanksgiving an unlikely pairing of minds from different generations and with different sensibilities.

Loud and heated

I listened as they challenged each other to prove their points, back up their arguments and genuinely try to understand where the other was coming from.It got loud and it got a little heated.

The key was that both of the people involved were genuinely listening and open enough to consider that they may in fact learn something in the process.

In fact,the elder member of my family said it was the best conversation he's had"in a hundred years!"It sure was nice to hear a rigorous discussion about beliefs and values.

As it got louder,my 11-year-old niece looked a little concerned and asked me what was going on and what the two were talking about.

I reassured her, "What's going on over there that's what democracy is,honey."

Live from Winnipeg South

On Wednesday,Information Radio will be live for an election grill in the riding of Winnipeg South. I really hope you can join us at the Starbucks at 2750 Pembina Hwy.for our last riding remote before election day.

And this time, unlike some of our past broadcasts, all four candidates will be be there.

• Winnipeg South Centre candidates point to biggest issues
• Child poverty, housing, food: candidates tackle downtown issues

For my part, I want to thank them in advance thank them for not fearing the discussion.

It doesn't benefit the growth of a country when people are missing from these opportunities, just like it doesn't benefit a family when someone leaves the dinner table when the conversation gets real.

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