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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-09-12, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1990. Editorials Message to politicians Last week’s stunning election of a New Democratic Party majority government, the first of its kind in the history of Ontario is a victory for democracy in Ontario. Hopefully it will also provide some sobering thinking for politicians all across Canada. The unprecedented decision of millions of voters to turn to the NDP showed that voters felt they were being pushed around so much by politicians that they were willing to take chances. Realistically, the government of David Peterson was not so bad it deserved one of the greatest rejections in Ontario history, especially when one remembers how forgiving the Ontario population was in allowing the Progressive Conservatives to govern for more than 40 years. It’s ironic that Mr. Peterson’sown popularity which seemed to be the strongest trump card for the Liberals when the election was called, became the heaviest anchor pulling good Liberal candidates under by the end of the campaign. The difficulty for Mr. Peterson came because he perpetrated a particularly cynical act in calling the election early in his mandate at a time when the public was fed up with political maneuvering. Since the politician they would most like to unseat, Brian Mulroney, wasn’t available for political defeat at the moment, Mr. Peterson would just have to do. He was close enough, backing as he did the behind-the-scenes dealings of Meech Lake and becoming quiet as a mannequin about Free Trade after winning the last election on a platform of trying to stop it. But calling the election when he already had a huge majority was the final straw for many voters. Sick of feeling manipulated they turned against the Liberals. Since they had already had enough of the Conservative brand of politics at the federal level they had only one real option: the NDP. They saw in Bob Rae a man of integrity, who didn’t seem to change policies with each change of the wind. They also saw a platform that didn’t give them excuses why things couldn’t be done. The challenge for Bob Rae and the NDP government will now be to keep from disillusioning the voters just as the Liberals and Conservatives before them. It’s one thing to have all the answers when you ’re sitting on the opposition benches and another when you are in power with noclear “right” way. It’seasy to be against nuclear power unless you’re responsible for finding the replacement for nuclear power, as Mr. Peterson found out. It’s easy to say the environment should be cleaned up but what happens if good union jobs are lost? Compromises must be made and no doubt long-time party supporters will be disappointed with the ideals that may take a beating. But hopefully the sense of integrity that Mr. Rae projects can be carried through in his government. Canadians are sick of politicians who seem to say one thing to get elected, then change their tunes when they’re in power. They’re tired of governments that act like dictators, that conduct business behind closed doors. We can all hope that this is the best, most honest government in the history of the province, one that proves even its critics wrong. That way we can all gain. Muddled signals The sense of hopelessness that Canadians feel about keeping the country united was reinforced last week in the Quebec reaction to the defeat of Premier David Peterson. Many editorial writers and political commentators in Quebec seemed to zero in on the fact that Premier Peterson was a supporter of Meech Lake and of close ties with Quebec. A rejection of him to them was a rejection of Quebec. Hogwash! There’s no doubt many people, possibly a majority of the Ontario voters, weren’t happy with the Premier’s stand on Meech Lake yet even after the demise of the pact, polls showed he was still popular. Those very polls convinced him to call an election and led to his downfall. It had been an election blessedly free of anti-French sentiment. Although the Confederation of Regions party tried to capitalize on a backlash against bilingualism in some north and eastern ridings, the fact is they didn’t win a seat. Unlike times past there didn’t seem to be any secret whispering campaign among major parties to capitalize on bigotry. If the defeat of Mr. Peterson had been a rejection of Quebec, why would voters turn to Bob Rae who also supported Meech Lake and is a good friend of Quebec (as Premier Bourassa pointed out). If Quebec media and opinion leaders insist on telling people that everything is a rejection of Quebec, however, how are ordinary people to know the real truth? If the ordinary people think they’re not wanted in Canada they ’ll support separation no matter how much the rest of the country tries to build bridges. It makes those who want to make the country work sad knowing it’s so hard to get the real message through and that failure will mean the failure of the country. The Short o£Jt_ Good, sober fun BY BONNIE GROPP This past weekend I was on duty and therefore was expected to be ready, camera in hand when the Brussels Fall Fair Queen was announced. I have always prided myself on arriving at appointments early, so was there well ahead of the crowning moment. It gave me plenty of time for a favourite pastime of mine - people watching. However, what first caught my attention, was not someone speci­ fic, but the overall picture. This year, the Brussels Agricul­ tural Society opted to have a Family Dance and as such the occasion was without benefit of a liquor license. While it was significantly clear from the offset that this had been selected as the place not to be by a lot of teens who were not involved in the contest, it was equally notable that everyone there was having a great time. Please don’t think me stodgy. It hasn’t been that long since I partied with the gang. But, I was always discreet and kept my dis­ tance from anyone, who may not have been in allegiance with this mild rebellion. This doesn’t to be the case today. Too frequently there have been dances or parties I have attended, where not only are there a significant number of minors being served, but those serving them and buying their drinks are well aware of the age and consequences, and old enough to know better. The result in most of these cases is akin to a child set free at Toys R Continued on page 13 The Citizen. P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $19.00/yr. [$40.00 Foreign]. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisment will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. (♦C^A Phone 887-9114 Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulston Advertising Manager, Dave Williams 1990 BLUE RIBBON AWARD Production Manager, Jill Roulston Second Class Mail Registration No. 6968