Dear Mr. Harper

Last election, the Canadian public saw fit to return to the house not 1 dominant party, but 4 major parties all with the capability of forming the government in alliance with others.

That was less than six months ago. In the intervening time, we have been subjected to you and Gilles Duceppe engaging in whining, grandstanding crying games at every opportunity.

When the Liberal party introduced a budget that was almost as hard-line right wing as I have come to expect from Ralph Klein's tories, it should have made you happy. There were a lot of concessions in that budget, and had you been so inclined (as Jack Layton was), you could easily have pressed for more and succeeded.

Instead, you saw opportunity in the Liberal party slide in the polls, and withdrew your support for the budget. Since then, you - and Gilles Duceppe - have done everything in your power to disrupt the business of a sitting Parliament.

Speaking as a voter, a minority government means one thing - the Canadian public doesn't trust any of the parties at this time. We gave you - and Mr. Layton, Mr. Harper and Mr. Duceppe - a mandate to work together. Compromise, make deals - whatever it takes - but make it work. Frankly, I don't give a damn how difficult it is for you to put aside your ego. Learn to do so.

On the radio this morning, I got to hear you crying about "How Canadian Parliamentary Democracy has to be restored". Mr. Harper, I submit that you look at the reason for the current situation every day in the mirror. Instead of working towards deals, and making things happen, you lust after the keys to 24 Sussex. You spend your time staring at polls, wondering when the best time to force an election is.

Two leaders in the house have figured out the notion of cooperating to make things happen - Mr. Layton, and Mr. Martin. It may be an odd pairing, and you may not like it - too bad. Canadians expect and demand better of their leadership than you have demonstrated recently.

Let me enumerate what I've seen from you in the last six months:

1. Over-acting on a Shatneresque level.
2. Rigidity and an inability to compromise.
3. Enough policy "me toos" over topics such as child care to make me wonder.
4. A caucus of MPs who ignore their constituencies.
5. An alliance with the BQ whilst you accuse the Liberals of a "deal with the devil" - please, give me a break!

What have I not seen?

1. Compromise. Are your views so rigid, so inflexible that you cannot compromise?
2. Platform. Why do you want to govern? What do you represent?
3. Vision. The conservatives haven't tabled anything in this house except motions to shut down the government.

It's a minority parliament - both the Conservatives and BQ are ideally positioned to move their agendas forward by tabling legislation and arm twisting the government.

In short, a summer election, as likely as it is, seems to me a waste of taxpayer dollars. Take some ownership, show some leadership. Just maybe, you'll find that things work out. Quit staring at polls every time you turn around, and start focusing on the job at hand. We, the electorate, gave you and the other leaders a difficult job to do. Damned well do it!