I'm running in Edmonton-Strathcona because this is where I live. I'm three blocks from O'Byrnes and seven from Wunderbar. Wouldn't want to parachute myself into another riding. Besides, even if I were I'd be running against another NDP candidate and I don't agree with their platform.

As for my voting in the House, I can't say. I will be voting on bills, issue by issue guided by my conscience and the will of my constituents. I have no interest in Question Period (only recognized parties can ask questions anyways) so that a few extra hours a day I can dedicate to constituents and my own research. I have just as much opportunity to introduce a private member's bill (that ability is allocated by lottery) and I look forward to debate, rather than just showing up and voting with the party line.

That might not be the answer you're looking for, but it gives you an idea of my thought process. I have no idea which government we'll end up with, and that will have a big impact on what I'm able to accomplish and what I'll support.

Running as an Independent in Edmonton-Strathcona, so I think I'll vote for myself. (Given my expected vote share, I expect this single vote to equal about 1%-25% of my total vote base).

Who would I vote for if I weren't running? I think I'd build a time machine and go back to early April and force myself to run.

The effect of raising corporate taxes to 18% will be nil and whatever policy the Liberals have in their platform will be amendable/ditchable (Red Book 1993) not to mention they might actually work. It's far too dangerous to keep sliding along the Democracy Slope™ the Conservatives have put us on. Yes, the libs did it first and the PC before them, blah, blah...but we can't let contempt for parliament go unchecked.

I endorse this endorsement (but I won't be voting Liberal).

I remember the first two members. I didn't know either of you, which was encouraging. I think I sent you each a personal message, the intent being that I'd message each person individually as they joined. That policy didn't last long...

I might end up doing that. Just making things up as I go, but anything can happen.

The CAPP group once had 225,000 members, and it started to dip after Parliament resumed, which makes sense. It had fulfilled its purpose, but after that point people were still interested in using it as a forum to discuss the issues of the day. Not sure how changing the pictures to "Election 2011" is related to my candidacy. I've changed it many times over the past year to reflect the issues of the day (at times, posting something very partisan) and the current picture makes no reference to my platform or campaign, so I don't see the link.

I am not sure how posting a mention of my intentions to run in the election constitutes exploiting the members. I stand by my assertion that only a handful of members are actively engaged. I am not sure if any of them are in my riding. I didn't make a request for donations, nor did I message all members to ask them to get involved (BTW, Facebook disables messaging members if the group is 5,000+ members).

I know some people have been upset with me and my laissez-faire approach to the CAPP group. I rarely ban anyone and don't police the comments. My logic is that adults (many of them much older than me) should be able to discuss politics civilly and know when to "walk" away when they're faced with someone they can't engage with. In an online forum, no one forces you to respond to a troll's comment and you can block troublesome users. I have no interest in playing nanny online because if we can't even act responsibility there, we have no chance in the real world. If you disagree, you are free to create your own online group and moderate it how you wish.

Also, for the sake of full disclosure, it's polite to include your name. I always post under my real name so that people know who I am and what I stand for.

It's true: I spent too much time on Twitter today, but I don't think I'm a slactivist. I put together a coherent, modest national platform. I designed and printed my own website, brochures, etc. I've been going door to door and attending events to engage with voters. Would be happy to hear how this compares to your election experience.

As for the CAPP group: Created it to get MPs back in Ottawa. The Libs, NDP and Bloc went back. Conservative support took a hit (they were floating around 40% and dropped to 30%) and in December 2010, Harper explicitly said he wouldn't prorogue, after having spent the first part of the year toying with the idea that he might make it a regular thing. The group had modest goals, it wasn't meant to shake the foundations of Canada, and I think it achieved those goals. Also, let me know how your initiatives have been panning out and what their effects have been.

I think parties have an important role in our parliamentary system, but I think a few of them could do for a nudge towards more responsible and achievable goals. That's why I'm running. I'm not saying I won't ever get involved with a party, but if I do, I want it to be on my terms with the assurance that I won't be called to vote on ridiculous motions expressing sadness over magazine articles.

I made mention of my plans to run on CAPP because I felt that the dozen or so people that still use the page might be interested to hear what one of it's members was up to. I had a lot of support when I started the group and I hoped it would encourage some people to get involved and show that anyone can run for parliament.

Some people supported the idea (again, there's only a handful of the 196,000 members still use the page) but there were a few that really, REALLY didn't like the idea. It wasn't my platform, but the fact that I was running in a hotly contested riding between the NDP and the Conservatives. I decided to back away, because when I'd try to engage and ask what they thought about my policy, I was rebuked.

The CAPP Facebook group had a purpose, it served it well but time has long past for something new, something offline. I'm trying to do that (albeit, while spending far too much time on Twitter) and I encourage anyone with the conviction, some good ideas and the communication skills to do likewise. Facebook groups can only take us so far.

I think the door-to-door is very important. When I do it, I start by asking what issues motivate them as a voter to get the conversation going. There's been times where I've had to disagree (eg. Gun Registry questions, Enviro policy) but I think people appreciate the face to face.

I would like to see more All Candidate debates/forums. We only had one here in Edmonton-Strathcona, while another was canceled because some of the other candidates weren't interested (I was gung ho). It's a chance to measure the policies side-by-side and for people to ask what's on their mind.