9/7/2010 12:36:41 PM For my urban friends, I need to say that the registry issue for over a million Canadians is so serious, it could become the single reason for the rural vote. More than infrastructure, free-trade, immigration, balanced budgets, and abortion put together. Liberal MPs are wiped out west of Thunderbay. The vehemence is on par with that which still lingers over the National Energy Policy of the Trudeau era. Does that mean everyone in the west are anti gun registry? No, obviously that would be impossible. There are urban centers out here too which simply can't understand the rural Canadian. This issue has the ability to make the next election a one button issue for 1 million of us. Iggy could stand on his head, dress in a tutu and not squeek one more vote out here. Had they allowed a genuinely free vote, rural Canadians in question would be far more likely to swing their votes on some other(s)issues. But this will harden their opposition, create volunteers and door knockers for MPs that voted on the basis of their personal integrity and the wishes of their constituencies.   ____________________________   9/7/2010 12:58:23 PM I think you have misjudged the mind of the Rural voter. What you fail to see is that we are far more pragmatic that you seem to give us credit for. Had the rural gun owner been treated fairly, and the state had stayed out of our homes, and had we not born this injustice for so many years, this issue could fade away. If the registry dies even moreso. It could be virtually forgotten by the next election by proponents and opponents. You are right Mr. Silver, the Liberal voter might be concerned but not *that* concerned. It is different with us. To not appreciate this is to continue to misunderstand us, and further deepen the scism between the rural and urban classes. Assuming the west is not alone, that rural voters across Ontario,Quebec, the North and the Maritimes feel the same way. The old East vs. West polemic loses its strength. Last election 35% of registered voters bothered to vote. In round numbers, 12 million votes. 1.2 million votes in the bag ought to give any party pause for thought. A 10% head start?