When news first came out that the Conservatives were lining up a victory, I too was initially devasted but then reality hit - it's been much worse, not too long ago and a lot of people learnt their lessons then. I'm referring to those Mulroney (and the silly Campbell) days that led to the total destruction of that party. Besides, Harper's spending agenda is almost a carbon copy of the Liberal's spending plan (although the word 'arts' is replaced with 'sports'). The shame of a conservative minority government boils down to the next couple of years will be a waste of time because again, nothing will really get done. You want to talk about shame? I'm a liberal Albertan, we didn't vote in a single left-wing seat! Embarrassing. NDP will get their day in the sun next time around.

I am beyond appalled and disgusted at my fellow Canadians. How anyone could have put an X beside a Conservative candidates name is beyond me. We have daily examples of arrogance, ineptitude, war mongering,lying, cheating and down right ignorance in the White House and Canadians don't see that? Amazing! The so-called Liberal scandals are nothing in comparison to what Harper will do to this country. Harper's devotion to Bush and that weird born-again fanaticism, new world order crap, etc. signals the beginning of the end of Canada. He isn't even a "real" conservative. They were wiped out twelve or more years ago. Harper's party consists of homophobic, repressive hicks who ran under different parties until they combined themselves into this latest incarnation. It is the dumbing down of Canadian society and I, for one, will not sit back and watch Canada become as disrespected as America has under Bush.

Harper got a minority and that may be our only saving grace. It is up to the Canadian media to keep us full informed of every step these 124 fools take on the road to the destruction of the Canada we know and love.

So, nothing more to add. I was deeply depressed voting, in Quebec riding where I really had no choice. Every one voted holding their nose. If the voted for Harper they did no largely in spite of his (hidden) agenda; If they voted for Liberals they did so just because they couldn't stomach letting Harper in, even though it was time for a change. If they voted NDP or Green party (with5 percent of the vote,)they voted their conscience, for the only party that truly represents Canadian values in many people's estimation. I'm moving to Toronto's Beaches. (Oh wait, I can't afford it.)

I became a permanent resident of Canada in November. Although I didn't leave the U.S. because of George Bush, his first term and subsequent election didn't encourage me to stay, either. I feel as if I'm being followed (or haunted) by conservative values that pass themselves off as tolerant and just.

My friends here aren't too concerned. They believe Harper will be forced to govern as he ran, because he'll need significant cooperation from the other parties to get anything done. They think this will keep him from trying to bring up controversial issues, such as reproductive rights and gay marriage.

I hope they're right.

The Conservative's win is very disturbing, but it's more important to note that about 64% of Canadians voted for parties to the left of the Conservatives (thereby adding considerable impetus to the idea that we need a reform of our electoral system so that if better reflects democratic preferences). And there is something to the argument that if the Conservatives could manage no better than a minority while the Liberals were busy self-destructing then they won't do any better in the future. However, things may not be quite that simple. If the Conservatives can keep themselves looking moderate and convince just enough people that they are not the crazy, right-wing fanatics that many of us suspect them to be, then they might win a majority next time out. After all, with our crazy electoral system, 39% of the popular vote can put a party into majority territory, and the Conservatives are only 3% off of that now. If they ever do get a majority, they would do irreparable damage to the country, though it's doubtful they would last more than one term if they pursued a really fanatical, American-style agenda. Maybe power will have a moderating effect - but here, we can look at the US, where the first term of the Bush presidency was supposed to be moderated by the fact that Bush lost the popular vote. That never happened, even before Sept. 11, and it's disturbing to think where Harper would take the country if he did not have to worry about immediately losing power. Indeed, he can still do great damage just as Prime Minister; there is a lot a PM can do that does not require going to Parliament. Finally, as a former Albertan, let me say how embarrassing I often find my former province. However, we must remember that even in Alberta, 35% of the population voted against the Conservatives - again, the electoral sytem just doesn't reflect this.

Sincerely,

Shaun Narine

I wish we had a parliamentary system here in the USA. For one thing, I doubt the Republican Party could hold a majority as small as the one they hold now if there were three or four viable parties from which to choose. I also seriously doubt George W. Bush, if the Republicans would even dare choose such a person to be their party leader in the first place, could withstand even ten minutes of Question Time without being sent packing by means of a no-confidence vote.

I give the Harper government a year, tops. Either he tones down his agenda, and alienates his base, or he goes full-bore, Bush-style, and sends everyone else into a flying rage. Either way, he and his party are toast come next elections, whether they come on schedule, or this coming Christmas. Who knows? Maybe they give the NDP a go next time. Wouldn't that be enough to give George W. fits?