[ernie]

the advantage of using the GST to save people the same amount of money is as I mentioned before. It's an annoyance people see each and every day.

And as you mention T99 when someone builds a house or pruchases a car they would really really notice it. It's a smart ploy by harper and it's getting some good play out here in the Maritimes. In fact there were a few stories in the paper of late that very much indicate the Liberals are going to have to actually campaign on something other than the "hidden agenda". People are waking up to the fact that the agenda was never hidden but simply different from the Liberals. And that's what an election should be about. If you don't agree with a party on gay marriage fine but let's see where my ideologies stand on health care, education etc etc by actually having the parties out promoting their ideas. Despite the stumbles the harper has had he is not viewed with fear out here as he was previously. As much as the cowboy outfit was embarassing his hitting the BBQ circuit and talking to ordinary people one on one has made a difference. Whether it translates into votes we don't know.