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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-03-11, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11,1992. The Other Side Living with a blind giant Canadians got new evidence last week about both the power of the United States and the ignorance of Americans about what goes on out­ side their borders. The illustrations of power came in two U.S. trade actions, on the importing of Honda cars made in Canada and on Canadian softwood lumber. In both cases one got the feeling that acting tough to impress American voters in an election year had a lot more to do with the trade decisions than any sense of real grievance. The illustration of American ignorance was given by Democratic leadership contender Paul Tsongas who joined U.S. President George Bush in knocking the idea of a Canadian-style universal health plan for the U.S. Mr. Tsongas, who beat cancer several years ago, told an Atlanta audience "If I had been in Canada when I got cancer, I might not be here today. Because the research that was being done, very experimental, was here." Mr. Tsongas had a bone marrow transplant to help him overcome cancer. Some of the research for that operation was done in the U.S. but some of the related work was also done in Canada. In 1986, when he had the transplant, the same operation was being done in a Toronto hospital. The difference was that in the U.S., Mr. Tsongas was one of those fortunate enough to be able to afford private health insurance that could pay the $75,000 bill for the operation. If he had been one of the 40 million Americans who have no health insurance, he would have died. In Canada he could get that treatment whether he was rich or poor. The thing that is frightening about the U.S. is that it is so power­ ful, yet has such a lack of knowl­ edge on which to base its decisions that can affect the rest of the world. It's like having to live with a blind giant, a massive creature that can’t see where it's going so thrashes around in all directions, often unaware it's stepping on the little people around it. The global village is affecting everyone in the world except the U.S. Canadians have had to live for decades with being bombarded with U.S. radio and TV, magazines and movies but the most remote comers of the world are now being affected in much the same way. U.S. television programs are dubbed into many languages. U.S. satellite news services ship an American view of world events to all comers of the world. The problem is while the Ameri­ can view of the rest of us is getting out, it's like a one-way glass. While we can look in on the Americans, when they look back all they see is themselves in a mirror. Despite global village, the ordinary Ameri­ can still isn't getting much interna­ tional information that hasn't been filtered through the perspective of American television or newspaper reporters. They never hear the Walden Photography Weddings & Portraits Call Gary Walden 482-7675 By Keith Roulston British talking about problems, but hear Americans talking about the British talking about problems. American culture is seldom touched by outside forces. A hit show from Britain will be turned into an American show for U.S. television, never showing the British original unless on educa­ tional television. It should be frightening to every­ one that in the world's most power­ ful democracy, the ordinary citizens don't have the broad-based information they need to vote intel­ To help you fill out your income tax return From February 24 to April 30, we offer an “after hours” phone service from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday. You can also call T.I.P.S. Info-Tax, our automated phone service, 'tours a day, 7 days a week, for recorded information on selected topics. -calculation returns To make things easier, we’ve designed two simpler tax returns that don’t have any calculations. These optional returns are great for people with straightforward tax situations. If you’re under 65, you can use the “Short.” If you’re 65 or over, the “65 Plus” is for you. Whatever return you use, you should fill out only one. Make sure your return is not delayed soon Lots of people fill out their tax return with great care, only to miss details that can make all the difference. For example, if your address is incomplete or incorrect, your refund could be delayed or sent to the wrong place. If you will be moving, write the new address on your return, or if you don’t know it yet, please call us to let us know as as you can so we can update your file. Another important detail is attaching all the slips and receipts that support your claims for credits and deductions. If any are missing, your return may get held up while we contact you for the information ■ Revenue Canada Revenu Canada B B Taxation Impot We’re making it easier. Canada ligently. What's more, Americans are so isolationist these days, if anyone tried to get some informa­ tion from the outside into the U.S., the attempt might be rejected as dangerous. Despite the rise of Germany and Japan, the U.S. is likely to remain the most powerful country in the world for some time to come. Othei countries like Canada should be working to find some way to let the American people know more about what is happening outside their borders. Health Unit offers course Over 500,000 cases of food poi­ soning occur in Canada every year. Most have been associated with unsafe foodhandling practices in food service operations and in the home. The Huron County Health Unit, in co-operation with Conestoga College, is offering an eight-wcek course on safe foodhandling for individuals, community groups and food service operators who are responsible for preparing and serv­ ing food to large groups. This course will help you choose, pre­ pare, and store foods safely. The next course begins March 26 with classes running on Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Central Huron Secondary School in Clin­ ton. For more information contact Klaus Seeger at 482-3416. Through the Years Continued from page 4 Brussels Public School. The win­ ners were Priska Menzie, first in Junior Division; and Ann Morton, first in Senior. Ken Cousins and Dave Stephen­ son of the Brussels Crusaders tied for the Western Ontario Athletic Association Intermediate B trophy for the Leading Scorer within the Division. Brussels Crusader goalies Mike Smith, Keith McClure, and Rob Stute received the trophy for the lowest team goals-against-average in the division.