A Word of Advice to Our Canadian Conservative Brethren… Don't Screw it Up!!!
by John Riet

As the Canadian elections draw near, the Conservative Party holds a very prominent lead over the ruling Liberals.The gap, depending on which poll or article you read, is anywhere from 8 to 13 percent. Unlike the recent elections in Germany, it appears there will be little controversy and therefore, no need for the victor to make compromises in order to appease the defeated socialists.

First of all, I must offer my pre-emptive congratulations to the Conservatives of the Great White North. It's gives me a warm feeling to know that a mandate as big as this has finally swelled in a country historically so liberal and passive. After decades of a “free” health system that leaves patients in agonizing pain and discomfort for months while waiting for a procedure, along with similar inefficient socialist bureaucracies, the Canadian people have finally had enough.

Hopefully, they've realized through experience that government cannot come close to providing for the needs of its people. However, I do fear that, like us, after being addicted for all this time, it will be hard to wean them off. It certainly won't be easy. What they must keep in mind is that, no system will ever provide everything everyone needs. It's just not logically possible. A person can only hope for the very best trade-off, and free markets have proven they are best equipped to handle that.

Secondly, I feel I have to offer my fellow Conservatives a strong word of advice – don't screw it up! Stick to your values. It takes time for conservative economic policies to show their strength after years of socialism. America proved this during the Great Depression. The hard part is remaining strong in the face of calls for more immediate results. Change doesn't come quickly. They must be patient. After a few years, they will see with lower taxes, less bureaucracy, more self-determination – everyone will reap the benefits. And above all else – do not falter in your principles. Do what is best for your country, not what will get you elected next time.

I offer this advice because I've seen the self-destruction of America's so-called conservative party. After 30 years of a Democratic-controlled Congress and Senate, the Republican Party finally won both Houses in the 1994 election. It was a happy day for conservatives across America. I remember how excited my father was. He pondered what would come if only we could get a conservative in the White House, too.

Surely we would have low deficits (perhaps even a balanced budget), low taxes, smaller government, and a general slow reversal of the economic and social damage done by liberals over the past 30 years. Then in 2000, my father got his wish. George W. Bush was elected and all seemed full speed ahead. If this man played his cards right, the Democrats need never win an election again.

Five years later, we have seen no such government shrinkage. No balanced budget. Record deficits. And, with the enactment of the Executive-backed Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, America has taken one more giant step toward socialism. The wonderful Republican Rebellion that took place in 1994 has been decimated. And as a result, the Republicans will surely lose several seats in Congress and possibly the Senate in 2006.

Yes. The economy did grow due to Bush's tax cuts. Our unemployment rate is the lowest it's been in decades. But it seems a hollow victory. For even though our capitalistic society seems alive and well now, the consequences of our socialistic policies will eventually rear their ugly heads. We can only carry our $8.1 trillion debt for so long before the dollar is all but worthless. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are all headed for bankruptcy. And George W. Bush has shown no stomach for a reform battle. As a result, years from now politicians will have to make a choice – raise our taxes or cut our benefits. Either choice is political suicide, so they will probably do what they can from making any clear cut decision at all.

This is what happens when Republicans value their re-election above their principles

So, to our soon-to-be victors in Canada – take a lesson from your conservative neighbors to the south. Victory is one thing. Taking advantage of it is quite another. You have a chance to bring real change to your country. You can do it as conservatives, or you can do it as politicians. The Republican Party has demonstrated what happens when you choose the latter.