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The Rural Voice, 1983-09, Page 54ONE MAN'S OPINION Undemocratic direction by Adrian Vos Most, if not all of us, share the belief that the democratic system as we know it, is superior to any type of totalitarianism. We are also aware that there are shortcomings in our setup. Think how many things we could straighten out if we were a dictator for only one week or even one day. Some would declare all farm bankruptcies null and void. Others would fire half the civil service. Still others would foist supply manage- ment on the red meat industry or remove supply management from the feather and dairy industry. Some would raise all income, while others would roll back wage in- creases. Farmer -dictators would increase prices and consumer autocrats would lower prices. Yes, we prefer our democratic system. Or do we? The recent debate, mainly in Huron county, about the proposed property tax changes shows that, when it comes down to personal opi- nions and fears, democracy could take a back seat. I refer to demands by opposers to the tax reform bill that all delegates from Huron county must vote as the majority at home dictates. The same opinion was expressed at the July OFA board of directors' meeting by directors from Perth and Kent counties. Perth, because a nar- row majority in the county was against change, and Kent, because a large majority was in favour of change. I was dismayed that these directors listened and accepted such undemocratic direction. I was disturbed that a number of Huron county OFA members came all the way to Toronto to watch their direc- tors to see if they voted as expected. My dismay and distress stems from the fact that in all such cases the debate from the provincial delegates becomes meaningless. No matter what information is provided in the debates, the directors were supposed PG. 52 THE RURAL VOICE. SEPTEMBER to vote based on the information back home. They might as well have mailed in their ballots, or have the county secretary do it on their behalf. If we accept this trend, democracy becomes meaningless and we run the risk of getting the dictatorship of the uninformed. If the directors had voted accor- ding to the information received back home, mixed with the information supplied before the voting, there could possibly have been a number from Kent and other counties who'd have voted with the dissenters, and some from Huron, Perth and other counties who'd have voted against the dissenters. The way it was, opponents from Kent were denied a vote, and proponents from Huron and Perth were denied a vote as well. It is not an isolated incident. Political candidates are far too often elected for their pleasing personality. Seldom are they asked where they personally stand on certain issues. But when these issues come to a vote, the voters want to force their opinion on the hapless MP or MPP. The time to find out where any can- didate stands is at election time. But at all the election meetings for OFA directors, I have never heard issues raised. The problem has always been to get anyone to stand for office at all. The taxation issue is not new. It has been around for 40 years. It has been a hot issue with the same people in the mid -seventies when the 50 per cent rebate was introduced. Where were they last November when OFA area directors were elected? Most were not even at the meetings. To force those directors, who sacrifice their time for very little remuneration, to vote against their convictions as to what is best for the farm community, is unreasonable and undemocratic. They should not have complied. Democracy should not be meddled with as it is too important to all of us. Adrian Vos, a regular columnist with The Rural Voice is a freelance writer from Huron county. 1983 See your area dealer Avondee Farm Supply R. R. 1, Stratford 273-4072 Cook's Div. of Gerbro Inc. Hensall 262-2410 Kirkton 229-8986 Centralia 228-6661 Dublin Feed Mill Dublin 345-2330 Durst Farm Centre Clinton 482-7706 Fischer Feeder Service R. R. 3, Mitchell 348-8725 Listowel Farm Supply Listowel 291.2501 Lucknow Farm Supply Lucknow 528-2331 Molesworth Farm Supply Molesworth 291-3740 Morgan Brothers R. R. 1, Hensall 235-1487 Perth County Farm Supplies Milverton 595-8905 Millbank 595-8911 Brunner 595-8251 Ryan Drying Ltd., Walton Brussels 887-9261 Seaforth 527-0527 Topnotch Feeds Seaforth 527-1910 Wroxeter 335-3555 Twin County Feeds Owen Sound 376-4213 Tara 934-3122