Afransen,
I too sympathize with Coyne's views but I part ways with you suggesting that it was better for the Reform to be relegated to the opposition benches. The whole purpose of politics is to push forward the interests of their constituents. I may not agree with their platform, but the Reformers were right to try to attain power to push forward their platform. The problem is that Harper et al. have found it hard for whatever reason (lack of discipline, too much ambition) to stick to their principles.
But Coyne is a little pessimistic on some fronts. Consider for example, the tax cuts slapped on by the Conservatives. We can all agree that cutting the GST was not the best tax policy. However, as a constraint on future government growth it's quite effective. The successors of this administration will have to balance the books working within the constraints of a 5% GST and reduced income and corporate tax rates. Likewise, for things like the transit tax rebates. What government is going to want to cut tax rebates for transit users to find the money to fund transit, for example. All in all, I think the result is a little more mixed than Coyne's picture.