1. Get Chuck Strahl* to come to Brantford and begin the process of settling the Land Claims Issue. Do this and re-election is in the bag.
2. Realize that you are a backbencher - don't overstep (no press conferences in the National Press Gallery until your second term). Harper doesn't seem to like noise coming from behind him; I think he is easily startled. That said, don't be a yes man, you work for us, not him.
3. Visit Brantford as much as possible. While it's important that you represent our interests, make it a point to be back at least twice a month if not more. We don't want an Ottawa Resident as our Member of Parliament. Consider Ottawa to be a smelly place, and the longer you stay there the worst you smell. We like fresh smelling MPs.
4. See #1.
5. See #4.
6. Give good speeches - short, to the point, and where appropriate funny. Hire an unemployed Political Science student to write speeches for you. There is lots to choose from, so don't worry about having to pay them a lot.
7. We want action, not talk. Your predecessors delivered action; we expect the same from you. Use that Poli Sci student to draft some policy for you.
8. Get us government goodies, you said we needed a MP on the Government side of the House of Commons, prove it. Every time you do #3 on this list, you better have a big cheque with you.
9. Be the leader we need, not the leader we want. These are serious times and it calls for serious leadership. Don't do what's popular, do what is right. If a vote with the government will hurt Brant - vote against it. If you get removed from caucus, so be it, you stood up for your constituents and that's what matters most. You'll win respect and votes in the next election. Remember, your predecessor lost after doing a good job, we in Brantford aren't afraid to fire people to give someone else a chance.
10. See #1-9, repeat as often as necessary.
Please see Comment #3 for explanation.
18 November 2008
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