The Conservative Corpse

[Fransisco]

Back to the original topic. Here are some things the Conservatives could have done instead of drinking the socialist Kool-Aid.

http://thecanadianrepublic.blogspot.com/2009/02/practical-budgetary-advice-for-stephen_03.html

[Fransisco]

http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1246057

<b>Goodbye 'Rae Days.' Hello 'Harper Holidays'</b>

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing you in my former role as Deficit Poster Boy and Punching Bag. This title was bequeathed to me by Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney when I became premier of Ontario, and I have been carrying it around on my back since 1990.

I have tried to wear the title as lightly as possible, but have to admit that its "baggage" has hindered my progress on occasion.

It is hard to describe the pleasure I take in bequeathing it to you and Jim Flaherty. Harper Holidays and Flaherty Fridays will join Rae Days in the lexicon. You will learn, as I did, that the estimates of Finance officials are never quite on, that as the layoffs and bankruptcies pile up government revenues collapse and expenditures grow.

Your deficits will be higher than you think and say they are. You can bank on it.

You have learned that deficits are not the product of the devil incarnate, but happen when there are recessions. You will regret that your every prior thought is in print. Your old copies of Milton Friedman and Hayek's Road to Serfdom will somehow seem less relevant and helpful.

I must confess that while I did invest in an airplane company, save industrial towns, advance pay equity and spend heavily in housing and transit during my time as premier, it never occurred to me to pay people to sod their lawns, rebuild the docks at their summer cottages and pave their driveways.

With the impeccable sense of timing that has marked my career, my wife and I chose to renovate last year. But next spring we shall be joining millions of Canadians in saying "sod it." And then sending you the bill.

As the song says "everything old is new again." I am no longer the Deficit Poster Boy and Punching Bag. You are. Wear it in the best of health. And rewrite all those speeches complaining about investing in small-craft harbours. Tear up those notes when Preston Manning told us all to "stop digging." You're shovel-ready and it looks good on you.

You will find, when speaking to covens of old Reformers, that it is hard to tell the Salvation Army there's no salvation.

You will be a little lonely at times, and will come to enjoy the company of cats and dogs.

You will shout, often, and with increasing frustration. "We did what?" when told of how much it cost to reimburse people for those docks, kitchens and decks, or how much it cost to fund a festival.

You will pay to sponsor things and wonder why people see irony in that.

You will read Animal Farm and fail to see the humour and irony in that as well.

And when the people have had their say, you will get into the back of a car, and nothing will happen. Warm regards; the bright red trophy is on its way.

- Bob Rae is the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and the Liberal foreign affairs critic. From 1990 to 1995, he was NDP premier of Ontario.