Thanks Jack!

I want to thank Jack and other Pension Democrats for the generous early Christmas present they've given to Liberals -- they of all people recognize the fragile nature of our economy and have therefore "deftly" moved to protect their own personal financial interests.

It's a good thing that the Conscience of Canada doesn't have a direct line to Woodsworth, Coldwell, Douglas, Lewis et al. I suspect the conversation would not go "well". Principles are a wonderful thing until you flush them down the old bowl in the name of collective self-interest...

This brings us to the "cranky" voters as Tom Good has described them. I can't help but wonder why: you've got this Prime Minister who pines for an election so he can ram home his agenda for a solid four years if the distracted masses can be sufficiently hoodwinked; This is the same man whose definition of making a minority Parliament work means everyone else caving so he can get his way on each and every bill put before the House. Funny how people want MPs to work together but conveniently forget, or ignore, that it's generally my way or the highway from the get go.

Wake up Canada. If you want a majority government, at least have the guts to elect one. Put an end to the farce of successive minority parliaments where winning by default is the manta of this government.

Clearly you have two choices ahead of you: you can put your faith in Stephen Harper and enjoy much more of the same -- but in ever increasing INTENSITY! Was that good for you?

Or, you can stick to your allegedly progressive principles and line up behind a solid alternative. That brings us to Michael. The man is far from perfect, just like the rest of us. However, Michael is intelligent, thoughtful, generous of character and fundamentally a stand-up guy. Does he strike you as the type of person who could go to bat for you over the next four years? Will his Canada generally be a good fit with your Canada? If the Canadian way is a middle-of-the-road approach, only you can ratify that in the next campaign. If you're in the mood to hug the progressive center, now is the time to line up behind the Liberals.

It's going to take strategic voting to send this Prime Minister back to Calgary. There is no other choice -- without it, the job can't be done. So make a decision and then head to the polls, when we finally have an opportunity, and speak in one voice for the kind of Canada I believe most of us cherish.

In short, voting for the largely discredited Pension Democrats gets you a sure thing: at minimum, several more years of Stephen Harper. Voting Green will dilute the progressive vote allowing Conservatives a clear path to victory in many crucial seats.

It's up to you now. So go out there and bring much needed change to Canada.