I would Betray Myself, If I Didn't Vote Randy Hillier

This is it. For what it's worth here is my official endorsement.

I choose Randy Hillier as my first choice on the ballot. To choose anyone else, would be a complete betrayal of the reasons I got involved with politics to begin with.

Whoever said "politics is about character", had Randy Hillier in mind.

Hillier has driven the policy debate from the very beginning by coming out with bold policies. Although abolishing the Human Rights Tribunal has received much of the attention, other excellent ideas such as his desire to end the liquor sales monopoly, allowing towns to de-amalgamate, and putting property taxes back in the hands of towns are some of the most impactful ideas of the campaign. While the other candidates tinker, Hillier offers solutions.

What's so 'redneck' or 'uncouth' about economic freedom, equality, and real justice?

If we can't see the value of killing foreign owned monopolies, putting the responsibility for property taxes squarely where they belong, and restoring the noble idea of equal treatment for all under the law, then what the hell are we doing this for?

Maybe Hillier isn't as silver tongued and urbain as the other candidates, and maybe he has to pick his words carefully when he speaks, big deal. Let's remember that plenty of damage has been done to our democracy by the most charismatic and popular leaders of our time. Trudeau was an articulate and suave devil in a suit whose social programs have left a legacy of big government, high taxation, and a decidedly more interventionist state.

We have two years before the next election, plenty of time for Hillier to receive good media training and get used to the cameras and media scrums.

Randy, you're a star, and you've earned my first ballot choice by being unashamedly conservative. And I think people are going to be surprised at the ballot results.

Tim Hudak is my Second Choice
As I have said before, I like Tim Hudak. In all liklihood he will win the leadership race, and I'll be satisfied if he does. But I want him and his campaign team to know that as much as I am unhappy with some of his boutique policies I believe he is the most capable to become Premier.

Hudak wears his leadership position naturally and I would be happy to support him in the provincial election. In fact, I would be happy to support him in a volunteer capacity starting next Monday.

With Hudak, I am confident in the future of our province and confident that it would move in the right direction. I predict Tim Hudak will win on the Second Ballot.

Third Choice - Frank Klees
I apologize to my aquaintances on Team Klees, but I can't support him. He's too much of a big government politician. In fact, I am still toying with the idea of not marking a third or fourth choice. Klees has offered very little in this campaign, and what little he has offered was driven more by other candidates than his own desire to improve government and the lives of citizens.

Despite this assessement, there are some qualities in Klees that I admire. For example, he appreciates and respects both his volunteers and his constituents, and even though I openly criticize his brand of politics, I know that as a constituent I would be welcome in his office to discuss whatever matters may arise and that Klees would genuinely listen. This is one of the most admirable qualities of any politician, and he gets my full support as my M.P.P. because of it.

Fourth Choice - Christine Elliott
I don't think I need to go into too much detail as to why Elliott will be number four. Aside from her flat tax policy, there is nothing in her policy that is particularly appealing.

Elliott is embodiment of the left wing of our party. She talks about compassion like some kind of open admission that conservatives are without it. I find it insulting.

No matter what I think, Elliott's campaign is a campaign to nowhere, and though she has mapped out 'The Path to Victory' it will be a path to defeat when in 2011 when PC voters choose to stay home like they did last time.

Overall
When we're sitting around talking politics, do we say we want more government? Do we say we want to pay more taxes, or that we need to have more regulations? Do we say that we aren't interested in politicians that do what's right instead of do what's expedient? Do we say we want politicians to tell what we want to hear, instead of what we need to hear? No, we want politicians to speak truth, to advocate for justice, freedom, the rule of law, and equality for everyone.

That kind of politician, the one we say we want, is among us, but we laugh at him because he is a regular guy. We snicker because he's folksy, honest, and forthright.

Now is the time to stand up for ourselves and vote for a politican who believes in people, not government.