Compassionate Conservatism

As someone who has followed politics since elementary school, I find the relatively recent state of “right vs. left” discourse rather disconcerting. While most moderate right-leaning individuals view their left-leaning counterparts as idealistic but naïve, the left feels compelled to label us as evil neo-conservatives. These assertions are made by certain columnists, bloggers and now Today’s NDP:

Doer also accused the Tories of campaigning like American politicians.
"The Conservative party has been trained by the Republicans and they're pretty ... the negative ads were out in November, and we're merely protecting ourselves," said Doer.

If the NDP’s latest website is any indication, Doer et al have no intention of trading on their administrative record. Given that my decision to seek office is based in large part on their two terms, I can hardly blame them.

While the free market economy may not be perfect, there is no other system that has managed to make as many people so well off. As third world countries continue to join the developed world, I am sure that millions of additional people in future generations will continue to experience better living conditions. One only need look at the dichotomous experiences of North and South Korea to see that change can happen for the better if economies are developed via market mechanisms instead of being led solely by government decree.

Does this mean that I believe that government has no part to play in our own back yard? Absolutely not. Government’s job is to enable the strategic framework for an efficient society. Citizens that attempt to cheat the system through theft, murder or corporate malfeasance should be punished. Honest individuals should have faith that these systems are there to protect them and not the aforementioned criminals. Government should also deliver other goods that the private sector cannot deliver as efficiently such as highway systems, healthcare, public education and our very own Manitoba Hydro.

Another contention from the NDP seems to be that only people in support of left-leaning politicians are allowed to articulate their views. The Who Is Hugh? website offers a link to Hugh’s supporters, many of whom are some of Winnipeg’s best and brightest. Perhaps their Conservative leanings are what enabled them to be successful. If so, wouldn’t you want to support the same party that successful people do? I doubt that the folks behind the Who is Hugh? site would express the same dismay over the fact that the UFCW’s April publication has a well-timed feature story on how the Tories hurt the Worker’s Compensation Board. By virtue of living in a democracy, every person should be entitled to articulate their views, be they union, business interests or non-partisan.

It would seem that my banter with Brian over at Just Damn Stupid has led to my being delisted from his blogroll. If one truly has faith in their own convictions, are anyone else’s beliefs really threatening? Why is it that in the Manitoba blogosphere, those of us on the right have no qualms about linking to left-leaning blogs while we are not beneficiaries of a reciprocal courtesy? I encourage everyone to visit the Blackberry Addicts and Just Damn Stupid and then come back and sample more of what is posted on my own blog. After all, I’m of the persuasion that my brand is better than theirs so I heartily encourage you to comparison shop. Compassionate Conservatism is a limited time offer that will expire if the NDP wins the next election – act now to ensure maximal customer satisfaction! ;)