Funny you should ask what folks see in rear view mirrors. It feels like Alberta conservatives believe they can bring the journey to a halt, turn it around, and go back to 2004.

It brings to mind a tender children's book called "Annie and the Old One." A child is trying to sabotage what her grandmother seems to know is the approach of the end of her life. "You cannot stop time," says the old woman to her granddaughter. 

So, one wonders what there is in the desire to unite the right other than a conviction among right wingers that they deserve to be in government because ... well, because they just do! 

There do seem to be two underlying questions, though, and it would be useful to see some thoughtful reflection on them:

It's better to go through hard times by cutting taxes, or
It's better to go through hard times by protecting government services, schools, health care, etc.