Common Sense

Common Sense: A Vision for a Better Canada is a novel written by Ivo Robotnik, published during the lead-up to the 1997 Canadian Federal Election. It has elements of both a memoir and a political manifesto. According to Robotnik, the book was written in language designed to 'appeal to moderate center-right voters who have previously avoided The Reform Party.' It asserts the following:


 * Conservative economic and social policy brings security and prosperity. This is claim is 'proven' using historical examples of conservative regimes throughout history, although many scholars have expressed skepticism about the soundness of Robotnik's argument.
 * The Democratic and Progressive parties have become dangerously radical throughout the 1990s, especially following their endorsement of legislation that dramatically increased the power of workers' unions in Canada.
 * The Conservative Party has failed to advance the Conservative movement, and is too willing to compromise its 'conservative values' for electoral or political success.

'Common Sense' also sporadically discusses Robotnik's childhood and prior career working for the Canadian federal government, in an attempt to explain the origin of his ideology. The book promotes the idea that 'compromising figures' like Malcom Turnbull are not true Conservatives, and makes the case for a hypothetical Reform government of Canada.

The novel was fairly-well distributed throughout rural Canada and was promoted by several notable members of the Reform Party, including Wilbur Farmer and Metal Sonic.