The Conservatives try and get put policy through while in power but are forced to play politics by the nasty Liberal dogs....
Seriously though, I believe that there are still some conservatves in the Conservative Party. A few years of a Concervative majority would do wonders for this country as long as Harper was still the leader. People could see that he and his party are not 'scary' like the other parties try and promote. The country would continue to improve its economy, the country would be less divided and Harper might even convince me to watch a Leafs game, well maybe not a Leafs game.
As for American politics, I don't thnk they are as far apart as they might appear. I really don't follow them as much but from what I gather the Republicans are pretty far right and very religious and the Democrats are centre right and not religious. Back when Clinton was in Office the economic policies seemed to be centre based if not right wing bias. The difference appears to be on social matters mainly. In current terms it is very clouded because it seems like even the Republican Party can't agree and at the moment Bush is going for a record... worst approval of the modern polling era.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19947950/