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I work in the the Conservative campaign in Ontario, and on Monday we vote. The advance polls' turnout was 96% higher than in other elections, which could mean people are asking for change, and that could be really good for our side.

Conservative candidates are generally clean-cut, pro-US (or at least not anti-US), pro tax cuts, pro government fiscal responsibility, pro-military, pro-small business, pro-morality. Can't say the same for the Liberals, not by a long shot. And DEFINITELY can't say it for the New Democrats (should be spelled DemoKrats) - a very, very left-wing party.

It's a strange situation here right now, actually. It's a very, very close election, from all indications. If Conservatives don't manage to pull off a win, they are set to do so the next time around (about four years)and would have the time to build up party strength and the solid backing of the people. They are pretty powerful in an opposition position.

If they DO manage a win - and they could - they would almost certainly form a minority government, and that would put them in the unenvionable position of having to fight hard for everything in their current platform, with a failed program perhaps triggering a vote of non-confidence, which could bring the government down and force another election.

Which could be okay - as long as enough time has passed for them to build up the necessary confidence of the electorate in them to win a majority that time around. A Conservative majority win could be really GREAT for this country, and our relationship with the U.S.

These are just my musings, and I suspect they will only confuse you, if you're not familiar with the way our weird government works.

We used to be a two-party system, but we now have Liberals, Conservatives (a joining of the former Progressive Conservatives and the Alliance Party), Progressive Conservatives who DIDN'T join with the Alliance, the New Democrats, the Quebec Bloc, and a few bits and pieces of parties, including, believe it or not, the Communist Party (although they never elect anyone). You have a right to be confused. I probably didn't help much.