You missed out on a couple of key things in your points...

2. Punish dissenters
There is also a *LOT* of pressure to conform to Tory ideals. Certainly a certain amount of "punishment" is meted out by peer pressure. While an NDP might get the "look" and the comment "you poor bastard"; Liberals are much more openly criticized. There is a lot of peer pressure that creates closet Liberals; and certainly while there was potential for hope this election, that hope has been quashed yet again.

This is quite evident when calling around trying to place red lawn signs. You find a lot of people who are willing to admit to the party that they support the Liberals, but decline to take a lawn sign explaining that their neighbours are all PC and they don't want to look bad in front of them. (You might want to speak about placing the Green and Orange signs?)

Additionally, how many PC supporters had their signs knocked down and vandalized? And how many Liberals? NDP? Green? Certainly it is MUCH less likely for a PC sign to be knocked down or vandalized. Hell, Harry Chase had all of his large signs on major roadways in the NW vandalized and destroyed (it even made the news). That's a lot of $$ outlay for the signs, to only have them destroyed by those who wish to opress the freedom of oppression.

Punishment comes in many forms. Some is meted out by the government, and some takes a more silent - and deadly - approach from work collegues and neighbours.

3. Party controls elections
Don't forget that the party decides when to call the election as well! Funny how the PCs find it most convenient to call the election when weather is against the volunteers, and before the work season starts for Farmers. And right after the government announces some major perks/promises... What a coincidence!

Of course, we can't forget past actions... such as the timing of $400 bribery, err... I mean rebate cheques, coincidentally just before the election... and don't get me started on the abuse that the PCs do with their own expense accounts when it comes to promoting themselves prior to an election. But nobody ever calls them on it.

4. Party controls government appointments
And the party also controls who gets recognized. The majority of people who are presented with medals/recognition are PCs. If you are a past government MLA, you can go to Murray Smith land, get a cushy job as a diplomat complete with a huge salary and a car.

The party also ensures that party insiders get the cushiest jobs - Ministerial positions, etc. And of course, there are enough committee positions to go around to ensure that PC MLAs get at least an additional $30K worth of income in a year. There are major discrepencies between the salaries of Liberals, NDPs, etc. and the PC members... funny that.

5. Party Controls Press
And the party also controls what is said. In this town it can be political suicide to speak out against the government. And even the CBC feels it appropriate to dismiss the "lesser" parties.

When it comes down to it, the press understands "buttered bread" and will act in whatever way is appropriate to ensure that there is always a fresh supply. The editorial board of the Herald, the Sun, and other major newspapers always ensures that the correct 'slant' is put on the news, and actually has a list of people that reporters should get "sound bytes" from on specific topics to ensure "balanced" reporting. And you can bet your bottom dollar that there is a PC emphasis on that!

All Heil Stelmach...