When we mark our ballot on Monday, May 2nd, let us ponder the question of whether we should make Canada a kinder nation or a mean one just as our neighbour, the U.S. is quickly becoming. There is no doubt that the Harp­er Conservatives have moved this country closer to the right. Author Marci McDonald has proven in her book ‘The Armageddon Factor’ that the so-called Theo-cons have practically taken over the Conser­vative think-tanks and even deep into the Prime Minister’s Office.

For one, their avowed aim to cancel the long gun registry if re­elected clearly follows the U.S. gun culture whereby some of its citizens live by the gun and die by the gun. The U.S. gun lobby has successfully in­fluenced the thinking in this country that we need guns to protect ourselves and when needed, taser everybody that looks remotely menacing to police – even a 10-year old.

In order to win votes, Harper’s conser­vatives are even pandering to the rural vote by using the argument that farmers and hunters need guns and should not be burdened with registering them. Not too long ago, America was rocked (or is it even surprised?) by the fatal shoot­ing of six people and critically wounding an Arizona congresswoman. During that week, a 10-year-old boy shot his mother dead in Ohio.

And while Conservatives purportedly ‘look’ after immigrants, their actions be­lie their rhetoric. Their much touted immigration reform supposedly to clear the backlog has been replaced with worst backlogs and longer waiting times. They have made it harder for parents and grandparents to im­migrate to join their family, anger­ing the very community that they have worked hard to cultivate.

And not only immigrants but even academics and profession­als. We hate to think that if the Con­servatives have their way, stringent anti-immigrant laws will be con­sidered mirroring the tough Arizo­na-style legislation that is playing havoc to immigrant communities in the U.S.

We have always believed that Canada has a ‘softer’ heart for people especially to those who do not belong to the moneyed class. That is why we have laws and policies that embody those values of caring and compassion. We have universal Medicare and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. America does not. On May 2nd – make the right choice for your country!

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