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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-11-14, Page 24Page 8—Crossroads—Nov. 14, 1984 POLITICS AND THE ECONOMY Now that elections are over in Canada and the United States, we are likely to be treated to some foolish predictions that the Liberals in Canada and the Demo- crats in the United States are on the verge of disappearing as political factors. How- ever, given the nature of the political systems in North America and the economic problems facing us, these forecasts almost certainly will not be realized. After each election in which one party receives an overwhelming mandate, political pundits proclaim the death of the defeated party. In the 1950s, it was repeatedly stated that the Progressive Conservatives would never win a federal election. Yet, in 1957, despite the erroneous public opinion polls, Diefenbaker was the victor. By 1958, after the crushing defeat of the Liber- , als, writers were predicting a generation of Conservative governments. In 1980, simi- lar and equally premature obituaries were printed, this time about the Conserva- tives. As well, in the United States after Truman's upset victory in 1948 and Lyndon Johnson's 1964 landslide, both Democrats, some claimed that the Republi- cans . would be wiped out. Each time, within four years, the Republicans won the presidency. To an important extent, elections in North America usually turn on personalities and passing reactions, not on ideology. For instance, ,the difference in platforms be- tween the Conservatives and Liberals last September was minimal. The major parties in North America tend to be sprawling coalitions of various 'groups. The Pro- gressive Conservatives now include Quebec separatists, Ontario Tories, and Western radicals'. Diefenbaker's Con- servatives included Red Tories, small town conserva- tives, populists, and Quebec nationalists: The victorious party both here and in the United States wins by form - Canada's Business by Bruce Whitestone ing an "umbrella" covering many disparate elements. Election victories, regard- less of their size, do not translate into permanent political change as political parties in No tir_America try to determine,th'e major con- cerns of the electorate and pitch their appeals accord- ingly. No party in North America can entrench itself because popular distrust of politi- cians soon develops. When one party becomes top- heavy with older politicians, younger, ambitious ones move to the other side where chances of advancement are greater. There is a deeper reason for the alternation of parties in North America. Politics here are about the relation- ship between the govern- ment and the individual, and the views of the electorate ,about this vary with eco- nomic events. Also, when a party wins an election it fre- quently must contend with the legacy of the preceding administration and that re- quires harsh measures which are unpopular. If the need for these policies were icinnred. the economy would deteriorate further and this inevitably would mean a change of government in the next election. If the Mulroney adminis- tration fails to take some hard decisions and to grap- ple with our languishing economy, the economic out- look will worsen, unemploy- ment will rise, and in the next election it will lose office. On the other hand, if the needed tough programs are put in place, voters probably will punish the incumbent Conservatives for doing so. Too, the words of Sir John A, MacDonald are. worth recalling, "A large majority in the House of Commons could corrupt a choir of archangels." There now is a need for a regime of austerity and an end to universal social pro- grams. Based on recent his- tory, it is doubtful that these changes will be implement- ed. In any event, in view of the very serious economic and financial problems now confronting North America, a shorter rather than longer tenure of office for the recent political victors seems probable. H. (GORDON GREEN When I was a country schoolteacher there over half a century ago, the cross- roads store at Kenilworth, Ontario, was owned by an Irishman named McGilli- cuddy. And the store was as picturesque as that name would suggest. It was grocery .store, feed store, hardware, haberdashery and post office all in one. And in the centre of this unique establishment there was of course a big pot- bellied wood burner stove which was always sur- rounded with boxes and bar- rels for whoever wanted to Thurs., Fri. & Sat. Nov. 15, 16 & 17 "THE PRESS" Tues., Nov. 20 Ladies' Night Male Dancer's $2 cover. charge Nov. 22, 23 & 24 "IN TRANSIl " Formerly Manor Hotel WINGHAM INN 238 Josephine Street Wingham 357-381 1 stove. And for five minutes or more they spread their hands out tb its alleged radiance without a com- plaint of any kind until McGillicuddy, with a lovely smile on his face, came over, opened the stove door, and asked if he could please have his lantern now as he had to go down cellar to cut a cheese. I had occasion to recall that incident the other day when I learned that during the summer just past, a smart entrepreneur in Cali- fornia has been offering stereo recordings of winter sounds — the howling of a blizzard, the squeaking of frosty footsteps, the scrape of snow shovels, jingle bells, etc., to lower your room temperature by the subtlety of suggestion. In other words, to make a sweltering human imagine himself cooler. And the manufacturer actually offered statistics to prove that the idea worked, so why not buy one or more of his unique recordings in- stead -of a costly air con- ditioner? He pointed out too that air conditioners may consume from a thousand to 3,000 watts of power while a stereo would be humming along on five to. 200. Thus the energy needed to cool a room by listening to the sounds of winter would be about one - thirtieth what would be park his feet there. The stove had a couple of ornate doors which were fitted with a ma- terial we then called "is- inglass", only it wasn't isinglass at all. Isinglass, so my dictionary tells me, is a form of gelatin 'got from some fresh -water fish. No, the windows on that old stove were ' really of. mica, through which the cheerful glow of -the fire within could be seen. I recall that feature of the stove's anatomy very well because on one blustery winter's day when I was in the store picking up my mail, McGillicuddy suddenly realized that the cheerful glow that was supposed to be, just wasn't there. "Judias Priest!" he ex- claimed, "me fire's gone out!' and here it is time for the boys to be coming in from the grist -mill and warmin' up their hands!" McGillicuddy looked at his watch, concluded that there wasn't time to light a new fire, and looked at me with a mysterious glint in his eyes. "Quick lad, hand me that there lantern behind you and we'll try a trick on them!" And in less time than 'it takes to tell he had lighted the old kerosene lantern and put it into the stove. When ,those "isinglass" doors were closed the glow which filter- ed through was as orange as that of an honest fire. Or al- most. Well the mill men came in soon after, slapping the snow from their toques and stomp- ing it from their boots, and then heading as usual for the warmth of their favourite �G,�u. to th 41. ofrAsrF, Win a free tray of assorted meats. Enter our monthly draw today. No purchase necessary Pf Cheez Zizzler Fresh Sliced From the Deli Assorted Meats Ib. 2.29 Ib. 2.09 Grade A Canada Beef Sirloin Tip Roast Ib.3 79 BAVARIAN DELI PACKERS Hans Mayer Klaus Bloechinger Wingham, Ont 519-357-1705 Res. 357-1262 B Line West of Josephine St. Store Hours Closed on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Thursday 10.00.6:00 p.m. Friday: 10:00-8:00 p.m Saturday 10:00-4:00 p m 94;#1 lifk` gobbled up by an air -con- ditioner. Now I don't doubt that this interesting entrepreneur, if he is still in business, will' soon be offering us re- cordings of a heat blistered July to convince us that a room with the thermostat set at 60 degrees is really not so chilly after all. But as for me and my house, I think I'll go on with my piling of fire- wood. The Junior Forest Warden movement began in 1930 when the Canadian Forestry Association in British Columbia first organized this youth group. The first Chief Warden was Mr. Charles Wilkinson. NOW OPEN Perth Bargain Centre 21 4A Main St., Atwood 356-2866 New to You Furniture 'Large and Small Appliances. Open: Monday thru Saturday - 9:00 to 4:00 Closed Wednesdays. For the month of November we will be open Thursday night from 7 to 9 p.m. Come in and browse and enjoy coffee with us. t only at Idio P Palmerston 3.43-2201 Gillian, daughter of Paul & Sherri Berfelz, Listowel, Ontario OUTERWEAR AND FOOTWEAR .SAVE WINTER JACKETS Choose from the popular bomber style or ski jackets as well as parkas. Jackets feature nylon outer shells with' warm polyester fill. Assorted colors. 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