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Home My WebLink AboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-02-08, Page 5NE'DI* r, FEBRUARY s,1895 Leaders: outsmarting the voters TORONTO - New Democrat premier Bob Rae is suddenly be- ing predicted as the winner in an election this year because he is more intellectual than his oppo- nents, but the race is not always to the brainy. Rae has been at an unpromis- ing 15 per cent in polls for two years, but Toronto Star senior po- litical columnist Richard Gwyn predicted that "Rae is going to win" because he "possesses one priceless asset. His IQ is probably larger than that of his two oppo- nents - the Progressive Conserva- tives' Mike Harris and Liberals' Lyn McLeod - combined" and voters will recognize this. The Globe and Mail described Rae as "possibly Canada's most intellectual politician." Columnist Allan Fotheringham, who often has praised Rae for his intellect, advised in the Financial Post that Rae is so sure a winner that he is worth better on and New Demo- crats have taken a lot to bragging they have the most cerebral lead- er. Rae, the former Rhodes Schol- ar, clearly ranks as the intellectual among the Ontario leaders. He is the most articulate and best in- formed on events and produces the swiftest flow of ideas and his thoughts often dig beneath the surface of the issues. Harris seems more to skim the top searching for political points and McLeod often flies well above so she can avoid making mistakes. Commentators who yearn for the occasional flash of brilliance among politicians naturally- ad= with. Eric Dowd' some voters also are tickled by having an articulate politician rep- resent'them. But votes in choosing a politi- cian to peau day by dad normally have been influenced more by policies, which in the NDP's case will include its spending habits, job creation and promotion of gambling, and how comfortable they feel with the politician. The two most noted intellectu- als i'n Ontario politics in recent decades were Stephen Lewis, NDP leader through most of the 1970s, and Stuart Smith, Liberal leader from 1976 to 1982. Lewis' perfectly -formed orato- ry came out as in a grammar text- book and he was at ease with just about every subject under the sun. He could discuss genocide in Af- rica as readily as lack of housing at home, but was so all-knowing he sometimes was called "too clever by three-quarters." Lewis led in three elections against the Conservative premier William Davis, who was not much of a speaker and whose sen- tences were said to be as circum- locutious as the Newfoundland railway in wandering all over the map. Davis had no pretensions to be an intellectual, preferred to talk about football and play up his im- age as just a small-town lawyer doing his best for people and was quite content to be known as "bland Billy". But voters preferred Davis' red -Tory programs and felt at home with his folksy, easygoing style and Lewis never could push him out. Smith was a psychiatrist and university professor with a bril- liant academic record, touted at first as another Pierre Trudeau since both were deep thinkers from Montreal (can intellect be everything when Trudeau also lost to Joe Clark?) Smithoozed intellect and em- ployed all the latest social jargon and felt so above crass political brawling that he let his press offi- cer go sailing the day an election was called, so reporters could not reach him. Smith also could not compete with the .homespun Da- vis in two elections and went on to more esoteric duties chairing the Science Council of Canada. Rae also is proof that intellect does 'not always win, because he was nosed out in two elections by Liberal David Peterson, who made no pretence of 'being an in- tellectual, but was modern and presentable and happened to be in the right place when the Tories were failing. Rae could be left with lots of time after the election to read his Proust and do whatev- er intellectuals do. Letters of opposition not intended to win argument Dear Editor: I almost feel like a columnist be- cause our editor has been kind enough to publish my letters in spite of the fact that they have not been very flattering towardshim at times. To set matters straight, I am not out to win an argument. I merely state facts when presumptions or half-truths surface. The desire to do this without malice stems from past experiences. I opposed the Hitler regime, was thrown in jail and was physically beaten. But I also saw the other side and I survived three bombing raids. We had to clean up after amidst the stench of burning flesh. There were no military targets. Where I saw the hundreds of dead bodies, all children and women; I asked myself "Where is the justice of it all?" The instinct to preserve lives was born there. I abhor all violence; especially when it is directed towards those who cannot defend themselves. You do not have to be a womarg to see the interuterus violence that goes on when human life is ended in a most cruel way. No matter what the reason, there is no reason to slaughter innocent lives. I hardly ever mention "abortion': because pro-life means much more. For years I have worked hard for the dignity and sanctity of human life and respect for all. If we could ever achieve this, we would not have the raging wars, the violence we commit against one another, the hopeless feeling that brings about a 600 per cent 'increase in teen sui-. cide. ,. Love is the basis of all things good. Where there is love, there is no hate, no selfishness, no enemy. Love• does not destroy, but builds and returns more than we give. If I succeed in convincing others to join me in my efforts to promote love and respect, I will consider my work worthwhile. Adrian Keet, Bluevale Unique fund raising venture Dear Editor: In Ontario provincial elections, the elected MPP provides a list of "people to be selected for enumera- tors, deputy returning officers and Pensions � are too rich for MPs Dear Editor: A recent national Environics poll shows that 86 per cent of Canadi- ans believe MP pensions are too rich. As well, 93 per cent said they want them reformed before the fed- eral government cuts other spend- ing, including spending on social. programs. MPs qualify for gold-plated pen sions after only six years in office regardless of their age. Their pen sion plan has unlimited protection against inflation and it grows in value 2.5 times faster than the max- imum legal rate in the private sec- tor. The same Environics poll also revealed that 91 per cent of Canadi- ans say MPs should only start to collect their pensions at age 65, 93 per cent want the pension's value to grow at the same Tate as in the pri- vate sector and 65 per cent want to scrap the inflation protection fea- ture. Canadi.:ns want real pension re- form, not more talk and certainly not mere tokenism. We certainly hope that Prime Minister Chretien is listening. David Somerville National Citizens' Coalition President other paid election positions. This list iS sent to the Chief Returning Officer before the election. In keep- ing with my commitment to a more open government, I am giving this opportunity to volunteer organiza- tions, service clubs and churches in the riding. Any service club, volunteer or- ganization or church group interest- ed in a unique fundraiser are wel- come to apply for these positions. Although members would be hired as individuals this project will give them an opportunity to raise money for their organization and will al- low more people from the commur nity to have a part in the election, Individuals must be mature (this is not a suitable fundraiser for chil- dren) with good skills for meeting people. They must also be physical- ly capable of canvassing on a door to door basis; in most cases a :vehi- cle will also be needed. Individuals must alsogbe available on short no- tice. I would stress that these are not political jobs. Individuals would be working for the Chief Election Of- ficer for the Province of Ontario, under the supervision of the Chief Returning Officer for Huron. Any organizations interested in this fundraiser should contact me at my office (482-3132 or 1-800-668- 9320) as soon as possible, I look forward to hearing from many of the service clubs, volun- teer organizations, and churches" in Huron County. Paul lclopp MPP Huron Tbe Eop .DhoppE WINGHAM SHOPPING CENTRE Box 690, Wingham. Ont. NOG 2W0 - Phone or Fax (519) 357-4700 Wants to Chase Away the Winter Blues! Come in and PAY NO TAXI Storewide! February 6 - 11 • Model Kits and Accessories • Arts and Crafts • Science plogmobit Hours: Monday -Thursday: 9 am - 5:30 pm Friday: 9 am -9 pm Saturday: 9 am- 5:30 pm 011:4424 du 4 A Ethaiwi benefits Dear Editor: The governments of Ontario and Canada are to be congratulated for decisions made in 1994 which will result in expanded Canadian pro- duction of fuel ethanol. This is needed to meet growing consumer demand for this environmentally superior automotive fuel. The environmental benefits of, fuel ethanol produced from grain and other biological feedstocks have been documented extensively in independent studies. These bene- fits include reduced tail -pipe emis- sions of carbon monoxide and toxic hydrocarbons, less dependence on imports of foreign light crude oil, and the opportunity to replace envi- ronmentally harmful gasoline addi- tives such as MMT and benzene. Environment Canada calcula- tions have shown a 40 per cent re- duction in net carbon dioxide emis- sions when fuel ethanol replaces gasoline. This includes "whole -life- cycle" emissions. A -more recent analysis by Natural Resources Can- ada shows reductions of about 100 per cent. More modest benefits have been found in European anal, yses, a consequence of, the much more intensive nature of production technology used to grow corn - a renewable feedstock from -which ethanol is made - in west European empties compared to Canada. A 1993 report from the Paris -based OECD indicated that ethanol made from corn could mean reductions of 'up to 70 per cent in net greenhouse gas emissions, or increases, de- pending upon differences in pro- duction technology. • A major report done by CEM - CORP for the Ontario Ministry of Environment and energy shows that fuel ethanol contains over twice the amount of energy used in its pro- duction (sunshine energy not in- cluded). This includes the produc- tion of biological feedstocks and inputs used in their production. Opponents of fuel ethanol have criticized the contingent guarantee provided recently by the Govern- ment of Canada in the event that a federal -excise tax is re -imposed on fuel. ethanol before 2005. The exp cise tax was eliminated in 1992 on ethanol used in gasoline blends. No excise tax has ever existed for pro- pane, compressed natural gas, and other alternative fuels. The contin- gent guarantee announced in 1994 actually means a reduction of about $17.5 million in federal expendi- tures in the current and future fiscal years. Tax exemptions in future years will be largely off -set by as- sociated savings in federal expendi- tures on agriculture. This is in marked contrast to the over $2 bil- lion per year, on average, which the federal government has provided in support for fossil fuel development since 1978, according to a 1993 analysis done by Ernst & Young Consultants. Jim Johnson, Canadian Renewal Fuels Assc. President THE WINGHAM A11VANCETINES A Honey mellow of a Gift. Give Teleflora's "Be My Honey" Bouquet for Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14. Delight your Valentine with a cuddly plush bear who arrives with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Afterwards, he detaches easily to give bear hugs for years to come. 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