Three points I'd like to make:

1) I believe beyond a doubt that Harper has a hidden agenda. Did anyone know that when Canada refused to join the Iraq invasion, Harper wrote a letter of apology to the Wall Street Journal, "on behald of all Canadians"? He also fudges on important issues like our social safety net, women's reproductive rights, gay marriage, etc. I think he is a hypocrite, a right-wing fundamentalist, a bigot, and a staunch defender of The American Way, including war.

2) Both the Conservatives and the NDP are fairly extreme, one to the right, the other to the left. I agree far more with the leftist platform, but will vote Liberal (holding my nose) because it is the only centrist party we have left.

3) Friends of mine from Ontario, who were solid PC, changed to the NDP when they got to know Jack Layton, what he does, what he and his wife represent, and what he knows. They said Layton is extremely intelligent and has a lot of integrity. Too bad that moustache makes him look like a used car salesman!