Almost persuaded: Trolls and other neighbours.

Political trolls are noisy neighbours dropping by uninvited. Amongst my quieter neighbours, over half support parties I don't, or they consider it a waste of time to vote for what's on offer.  Of those making it to the ballot box, over half vote for policies that will shrink their freedom, reduce their personal wealth, and hold back community growth.  To improve on that, I would have to persuade a couple neighbours to change their minds and what will make them do that?

I think people are persuaded by their own data, not someone else's.  They are not wowed by platform and passion.  Instead, conclusions they have already drawn in life about another area, begin to make sense in a new area.  What do many Canadians already believe to be true that agrees with conservative choices?

Stephen Harper's special genius may be making conservative policy sound middle-of-the-road and normal, qualities admired by lots of Canadians.  He slips it into the mix as if adding a little salt to the roast with no radical change, no arugula in the salad, no organic avocados on the side.  Good on him.

It still comes down to persuading one or two neighbours to apply to their vote the same conservative principles they follow when asked to loan out $500 bucks or when making sure their veggie garden comes to harvest without being trampled or dried out.  Everybody is an entrepreneur at a yard sale, but when it's a million dollars instead of a loonie, not so many favour freedom of contract.

Protecting the fruit of your labour