Nova Scotia Election — Let This Be A Lesson...

So, it's the worst case scenario - not just an NDP government, but an NDP majority. How bad could that be? Well, I'm not going to argue with the observers, most of whom suggest that Darrell Dexter is fiscally moderate. They are all "fiscally responsible" when tax revenues outpace program spending and all of them are faithful to Keynesian economics when tax revenues dry down but spending habits are just too hard to break. But when it comes to social policy - we better don't have any illusions about the kind of views shared by the Nova Scotia's new Premier and his party.

Thus - even if the upcoming 4 or 5 years of NDP rule don't result in new taxes or deficits - we can still expect the government to pander to all the special interest groups that are New Democrats' long-time allies; including of course the pro-aborts and militant homosexuals. So it's just a matter of time until we see more funding for abortions and more hospitals being bribed into providing them. Obviously, we can expect more restrictions on pro-life protest rallies and prayer vigils - from all sorts of "bubble zone" laws to existing laws against obscenity and disruption of peace being used to prosecute peaceful vigil-keepers.

Not to mention all sorts of compulsory "social justice" and "sex education" lessons where perverse views on sexuality are presented as the only indisputable truth. Not to mention giving more power to the local HRC and amending the provincial Human Rights Act to include so called "gender identity" and "gender expression" as prohibited grounds of discrimination. Sure, you won't find any of that in their election platform, but when it comes to the NDP (either Provincial or Federal; the two are directly affiliated) - it's not even a hidden agenda anymore. So it's hard to expect anything positive of the choice that Nova Scotians have made.

But did they have any other choice? Hardly. And the provincial PCs have only themselves to blame. If anything - the voters were more than merciful to them, when they gave them another chance back in 2006. Obviously, people didn't expect much from the PC party (so it returned to the legislature with a weaker minority and with just 3-seat lead over the NDP,) but it was still a chance for Rodney MacDonald to prove that he can do things differently. Well, his luck has run out.

Why, oh why, do conservative parties keep making the same mistakes over and over? They talk a good game, bring the base on board, get into power, then throw conservatism overboard to chase the mushy middle, the base abandons them, they get thrown out, socialists take over, rinse & repeat? We're going to see it happen on Tuesday, and I fear we're going to see it again in the next federal election.

(A comment on Free Dominion)

What he said. Let this be a lesson to every Conservative leader; first and foremost - to Stephen Harper: Quit playing moderate! The left won't believe you, but the right will leave you. Let it be a lesson to every Conservative strategist. It's time for them to realize: even if there's no other mainstream right-wing party - it doesn't mean that Conservative voters could be taken for granted; when a disgruntled Conservative has nowhere to turn - he just stays home on election day.

John Pacheco, the author of the SoCon or Bust blog, has outlined three key initiatives that could turn the tide and re-energize the Conservative voting base. They are:

• Pass the Unborn Victims of Crime Bill.
• Scrap the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
• Reform the tax system to deliver significant income tax cuts for families.

To that I can also add: Stop inflating program expenses (which have doubled over the last 10 years). Have the guts to cut all the wasteful spending, impose austerity on public service and take all steps necessary to balance the budget during the fiscal 2011/12. Or - end up just like Rodney MacDonald.