A few weeks ago I wrote a letter pointing out that the only way to effect positive change on Nov. 9 is to elect a Conservative. Diana Dilworth, a worthy candidate with a party that is doing a good job, would be our first MP on the government side in a generation. Having a strong voice in government would be a positive change for our community.

Predictably, the defenders of the status quo were rather less than pleased with this message of change. One flummoxed writer, thesaurus in overdrive, assailed my “vituperations” as shaking at the very foundations of democracy.

Apparently I am like a fired-up J. Edgar Hoover, with the part of the NDP played by communist dictator Mao Zedong (Chairman Donnelly anyone?).

The bewildered writer’s missive closed with a nonsensical rejoinder about “how the cost of things really does affect the cost of things.”

Since the NDP have nothing new or good to say about the economy, crime or the environment, they have resorted to a their usual political tactic: change the channel.

This time, instead of real issues, we get wall-to-wall Hysterical Scare Tactics. The HST, the great un-issue of the election, is just noise meant to distract voters. The HST will not be debated in Parliament and is therefore by definition irrelevant to an election where we are choosing a Member of Parliament.

The NDP is not a party dedicated to lowering the taxes of “ordinary Canadians.” Far from it. They are more likely to raise taxes than any other party. That is an established fact.

In this our 150th year, New Westminster can choose to make history, or be history. Electing a Conservative here will make headlines across the country. The markets will cheer. Investors will be buoyed with new confidence. Our fragile economic recovery will get a needed flu-shot.

A new breath of optimism will sweep the country, thanks to voters here making a positive choice.

On Nov. 9, New Westminster has a chance at being a bellwether city, pointing the country to a future of hope and change. On the other hand, we could choose to remain just another left-coast oddity, meriting perhaps a few lines on page 23, sending a replacement NDP member to bide time on the fringes of Parliament.

We deserve better than the status quo. Let’s say yes to change. We can do it.

David Brett

New Westminster