THE CONSERVATIVE HIPSTERS

I am a dyed-in-the-wool Conservative.

But I say now, on this hydro-gulping hot-as-hades day here in Ontario that if a political party wants my vote, here is the sentence their leader needs to utter:

"If elected/re-elected, our Party will immediately allow income splitting for Canadian households for the 2008 tax year and every year hence."

They don't have to use "hence", but you get the picture.

Why? Ask Jack Mintz.

My wife is a stay-at-home mom - one of the most important jobs in existence.

And I am sick and tired of being penalized for it. It sucks to pay $4,000 or so more per year because we made sacrifices to be a one income family.

What if the Libs, the Greens and the CPC all offer income splitting? First, I will be extremely pleased, as income splitting will become an inevitability, rather than a choice. But I will then look at the platform which best suits my views and values.

So, I'll cut to the chase and say I'll be voting Conservative.

However, and I kid you not Mr. Prime Minister, if the Libs offer income splitting and there is no alternative plan being offered by the CPC to reduce the real tax burden for one income families - I will vote Liberal.

For the first time in my life.

(Although I did vote NDP when I lived in a downtown Toronto riding to try and block the Liberals from winning).