Young smarties Ariel Hunt-Brondwin and Adrian Millman are going to be living the student life for the foreseeable future. Ariel, 26, recently graduated with a degree in outdoor education. Adrian, 22, is in his first year of medical school. Apart from Fly, the cat, it’s just the two of them. Ariel describes herself as Unitarian, and Adrian, agnostic. They live in Kingston and The Islands, a riding defined largely by the people who work for and are served by public institutions: universities, and prisons. The choices are limited to the big four: Liberal Peter Millikin; NDPer Rick Downes; Conservative Brian Abrams; and Green Eric Walton.

Q: How would you describe your political involvement?

Ariel: At the moment, it’s limited to couch commentary We’ve been following this more than in other years, though mostly on TV. We haven’t made it out to all-candidates meetings yet.

Q: What is exciting to you about this federal campaign?

Ariel: For me, the fact that the Green Party is finally in. Elizabeth May is really exciting to me, in general.

Q: Does anything about this campaign make you scared or uneasy?

Ariel: We’re probably going to have another minority government, and there’s been very little talk about that, in terms of political process. What does it say about the health of politics in Canada, hat we cant find a party that most of us have faith in? Some might argue it’s a good thing, that there’s more voices at the table. I’d have liked more discussion on this. And proportional representation. We can make the system better.

Q: Which campaign promises resonate with you, and why?

Ariel: The Liberals and NDP are both talking about plans to increase doctors and nurses. But I’ve not heard a lot of campaign promises I was excited about. The carbon tax resonate. It’s the right step for Canada.

Q: What issues that are important to your family are getting missed or underplayed by the parties?

Ariel: The cost of education. This election has been all about working families. What about those families that don’t have kids? It’s the same old, in that was. They’re just talking to the 40+ taxpayer. Everyone else isn’t in a high enough tax bracket to care about.

Q: In 2006, the Conservatives started giving all families with children under 6 $100 a month per child. In 2008, the NDP is promising between $250 and $400 per child, up to 18 years. The Liberals are promising $100 per child to age 6 ($200 for low-income families), and $350 per child once a year. The Conservatives are promising the $100 again. And the Greens would cancel the $100 cheques. What do you think of direct-to-family cash?

Ariel: I think Harper is courting a Conservative, stay-at-home mom electorate. But I ultimately think we should be channelling money into a childcare plan. It’s the Socialist in me.

Q: What do you think of the Liberal `Green Shift`?

From what I know of it, and it’s not that much, I think its a god thing. But a question I have is, what’s going to happen in five or 10 years when pollution drops dramatically? Where is the revenue going to come from? I agree with the principal that we should be taxing undesirable things, though.

Q: What do you think of the Conservative plan to get tough on crime?

Ariel: It’s the thing I feel the most deplorable or gross in this campaign. Especially the longer sentences for young offenders. Even though the spin is greater than what they’re actually proposing, it’s just scare mongering. I don’t agree that more people in jail is the right solution.

Q: What do you think of the NDPs promise of a universal, affordable, accessible childcare system?

Ariel: It’s a good idea and it’s needed. Young children need t be cared for at an acceptable standard, and the people who care for them have to be remunerated properly.

Q: Stephane Dion and Steven Harper are sparing over who the better leader is. How important to you is electing someone with a charismatic leadership style?

Ariel: It’s not that important. I want a leader who can work with other people to get things done. Dion has come across as less charismatic than Harper, but I don’t see him as less competent. On the other hand, I find myself liking Elizabeth May because he is so much more charismatic than the others.

Q: What do you think Canada`s role should be in Afghanistan?

Ariel: I think it should be smaller. I don’t really understand why we’re there right now, but we can’t just leave, either.

Q: What would make Canada`s federal electoral process better, or is it okay the way it is?

Ariel: They should bring back door-to-door to sign you up. I think there’s a connection there on why young people aren’t voting as much. The government should be proactive in this area. Also, I wish there were a national debate on proportional representation, like they’ve had in BC and Ontario. It would make such a difference in reinvigourating Canadian politics.

Q: This fall, would you rather be voting for Canada`s politicians, or the Americans’?

Ariel: I’m glad to be voting for the Canadians’. I wouldn’t want to be an American if John McCain were elected. It’s likely that Harper will be reelected here, and though don’t agree with his policies, he’s a lot more centre than McCain, and the opposition parties can temper what he can do.