I have decided to go above and beyond the typical debate of partisans and view the political psyche through a macroscopic perspective. Being an advocate of human progression, freedom and liberty; I continually look to understand how we as a society can attain these natural rights.

When you step back and look at government itself, it has no defined jurisdiction and varies around the world, between parties and throughout history. Therefore we must understand government is not a fixed institution but a varying collective of rules and restrictions. The state decides our restrictions in these various forms: judicial, environmental, social, and economic. These limitations created by government are forced on us for the greater good of the general population.

It is my opinion political leanings (left/right, socialist/capitalist, communist/fascist) all come back to one key concept: Your personal trust in mankind. If you believe humans in essence are good; you are more willing to give people more power and freedom. On the flip side, if you believe humans in essence are evil; you are likely in favour of restrictions.

Of course there is no black and white when it comes to this concept; there will always be the few who cannot fit into any society, regardless how ideal it may be. Also remember political parties tend not to fit nicely into this 'restrict or not to restrict' debate; Republicans for example advocate social/judiciary restrictions and economic/environmental freedom, Democrats advocate economic/environmental restrictions and social/judiciary freedom.

In the end ask yourself the simple question: How do you perceive mankind? Your pragmatic political views will fall into place. If you want to restrict the evil majority, advocate expansionist state (socialism); if you want to free the good, advocate the reduction of state (classic liberalism).

Ever since the federal election on January 23rd, I've heard nothing but whining from Liberal and NDP supporters over the election of our Prime Minister Stephen Harper. I have put together a list of facts about Harper which many may find surprising and somewhat impressive. I introduce you to the REAL Stephen Harper:

* Born in Toronto
* Received A+'s with several marks close to 100%
* Received Richview Collegiate Institute's highest graduating average
* Briefly went to University of Toronto
* Completed a Masters of Economics at University of Calgary
* Active member of the Young Liberals Club
* Trudeau's National Energy Program changed his political allegence
* Chief aide to James Hawkes (MP) in the Progressive Conservative party
* Critical of Mulroney's fiscal policies and left the party
* Credited with creating the Reform party platform
* Chief advisor and speech writer for Deborah Grey
* Core member of the Reform party: known as a staunch fiscal conservative, federalist and social moderate
* Initially supported and voted for the gun registry
* Left the Reform party and his seat because of concerns the Reform Party was being hijacked by social conservatives
* Became president of the National Citizen's Coalition: a libertarian-conservative group avocating privatization, tax cuts and government spending cuts
* Served as a political commentator for the CBC
* Was asked to lead the Progressive Conservative Party in 1998
* Oh...and he's a big fan of ice hockey :)

Does this paint a different picture of the man many Canadians love to hate?

So many in the media are questioning this new parliament's ability to move forward as the Bloc now has a new opponent, the Liberals are resentful, and the NDP is just too far from mainstream views. During the debates, both Layton and Duceppe noted the Liberals run elections on the left and rule like Tories. Therefore we can expect similar government to the one we have lived with for 12 years; perhaps more fiscal discipline (fund allocation) and better economic decisions (maintain competitiveness).

This article in the National Post explains why this new Conservatives Minority might actually get a lot of good Conservative policies implemented. In the short term, no party will force an election and will not be as harsh when it comes to moderate policies the Conservatives will be proposing. Right from the get go, Harper promised 5 key initiatives of a Conservative government; unlike the many promises the Liberals have made over the years; unfulfilled. The 5 initiatives are:

1) Federal Accountability Act: this will be a "far-reaching plan to clean up government, by toughening the Lobbyists Registration Act, eliminating secret donations to political candidates, establishing a Public Appointments Commission to establish merit-based requirements for appointments to government boards and agencies, and strengthening the power of the Auditor General and the office of Ethics Commissioner" (Most parties will endorse this, even the Liberals if they have half a brain)
2) Justice Reforms: fill more than 1,000 RCMP positions and to work with provinces and municipalities to hire 2,500 more police officers, to crack down on firearms smuggling and strengthen security at border crossings, and most importantly to implement mandatory minimum sentences for major firearms offences. (All parties called to get tougher on crime this election)
3) Child Care Tax Credit: a vehicle to give support to all parents (not just 25% of parents who would use the public child care) and give flexability with choice or even support for stay at home parents. (the Bloc will support this as they have a child care program, more federal money is on the table, they'll jump)
4) GST Tax Cut: a hugely popular plan aimed at giving hard working Canadians a tax cut, one the Liberals have promised in the past and being a regressive tax; will benefit the poor the most. (I can't see too much resistance to a 1% cut this early in paraliament, remember Canadians don't want *another* election)
5) Health Wait-Time Guarantee: a policy aimed at setting national standards for the provinces to generate equality no matter which province you live in. This policy interests me the most as Harper is an economist, with ties to Alberta. I recently watched a CBC story explaining how Alberta has had great success implementing queuing theory (found in private service industries) into hospitals (both public and private). Addressing patient flow with understanding demand and throughput allows for quicker service with no additional funds. As an analogy; on the highway if cars are spaced out, the flow through the bottlenecks can be drastically increased without widening the road or other high cost alternatives. Also many waiting rooms have constant wait times where patients wait a constant 30 minutes (as an example) for service; contracting an extra doctor to service those waiting will eliminate the wait altogether. The extra doctor, once the ‘waiters’ are done he can be used elsewhere; as long as lines don’t go longer, flow is created. ie. 1 patient an hour serviced, and 1 per hour shows up, there’s no point in having a line (wait). Many things can be learned by the leaders in healthcare; Alberta being the most obvious, and I truly trust the Conservatives in creating a sustainable publicly funded (even if there is a private role) healthcare system.

All mainstream ideas which will recieve support from the other parties as the ideas are most reasonable; with significant effects for all Canadians. The parliament itself will have a grace period given the public's distaste for another election and the other parties jockeying for a record of comprimise and results. The downfall of this parliament will likely come after a new Liberal leader is chosen. The Liberals are extremely ambitious and the new leader will try to seek their own mandate, by then the Conservatives will have accomplished the key policies they set out at the beginning of the campaign. Look at that! A political party with the potential for keeping all their promises!! I can't wait!

Today I predict Canada will rid itself from the shackles of one party rule, standing up with a new voice and vision for the country. Throughout the last few weeks the Conservatives have withstood some of the most viscious attacks our country has ever seen. It is great to see a once dominant political force squirm in the face of defeat, a separatist party unable to fulfill its promise of over 50% and a party full of nuts wondering why they can never get more than 18%. I was happy to see a party with a clear vision for the nation with new and logical policies proving to all Canadians when they deserve your vote. Just goes to show some people are able to see through fear tactics and despiration; using blind patriotism as a ballot question.

Heading into this election, polls are indicating a 37/27/19 for Conservatives/Liberals/NDP. Take note these numbers are in line with the 36-41% the Liberals have recieved the last 4 election cycles. Currently we are looking at a Conservative minority, although I am hoping for a majority as our government needs to be responsive and effective as it overhauls 12 years of Liberal rule.

For your information, the Conservatives have been endorsed by every major newspaper in the country and others like the Economist which is one of the most respected media sources in the world (endorsed Kerry this past US election). The long list of endorsements: Globe and Mail, National Post, The Economist, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Province, Calgary Herald, Winnipeg Free Press, London Free Press, Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Sun, Windsor Star, Montreal Gazette, La Presse, Le Soleil, Winnipeg Sun, Brandon Sun, Edmonton Journal, Calgary Sun, Toronto Sun, Edmonton Sun, Moncton Times.

Even if you are not voting along the same lines as I, please vote...it's a right and freedom, something people fought hard for.