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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-05-11, Page 44 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, May 11, 2005 zkxna =CNA Editorial Opinion TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing casts. Jim Beckett Publisher and Editor Deb Lord Production Manager &Published by Metroland Printing, rt Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL Buying votes Iis a funny thing, watching a man beg for votes. But that's exactly the position our prime minister finds himself in. Paul Martin has been all over the place recently, promising this and promising that, throwing bil- lions of dollars at anyone who asks. The latest beneficiary of Martin's conveniently -timed gen- erosity is Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, who was promised over the weekend by Martin that the province would see $5.75 billion transferred from the federal coffers to Ontario. The deal comes after McGuinty's complaints there is a $23 billion fiscal gap between what Ontario gives to Ottawa and what Ottawa gives back. Obviously, McGuinty didn't get as much as he wanted, but he says he will continue to fight for more money from Ottawa. Of course, the upcoming election, whenever that may be, could be a determining factor in whether or not Ontario actually receives the money, which is why McGuinty wants to meet with Conservative Leader Stephen Harper. The Martin-McGuinty deal is interesting. It's doubtful Martin would have even given McGuinty the time of day if the prime minister wasn't in the political fight of his life. If polls predicted Martin was on his way to a majority victory, he probably wouldn't have even answered McGuinty's phone calls. Instead, the McGuinty deal gives Martin the chance to buy a few more votes, something Ottawa is used to. Up next is Saskatchewan, another province that wants more cash from the feds. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland have already received their sweetheart deals. Running neck and neck with Harper in the polls, Martin needs every vote he can get, particularly in Ontario. Quebec and the west are lost, but Ontario remains a Liberal stronghold. Chances are, if Martin wins Ontario, he wins the election, although it will be another minority. Conservatives, naturally, are criticizing Martin's deal with McGuinty. They've called it a desperate act from a man trying to save his own skin. And they're right — but they'd be doing the same thing. That's how the game of politics is played in this country. Why voters put up with it is another question. \ v "): E DA1(COMMEMORISO HOLLAND ?Ao5 L4ELLWm4'EM 1 IONi- ECALL ANY POLITICIANS OVER HEREIN '45 EITI1ER! its Random thoughts on a sunny day A hodgepodge of ideas on a day when it's way too nice outside to spend the day in front of a computer: • Mildred Grimes' $5 million donation to Trivitt Memorial Church is an astounding gift. That amount of money is huge anywhere, but in a small town where the word "million" isn't used lightly, the number seems incredible. The fact Grimes spent most of her life in Toronto as a Presbyterian but still decided to settle here and leave the bulk of her estate to an Anglican church makes the story even more interesting. Trivitt's money concerns are history. The interest on the $5 million is more than enough to look after the church and allow it to make worthwhile dona- tions within the community, something that has already started. Grimes' generosity will make good things hap- pen in the community for a long time. • The absence of Prime Minister Paul Martin and Opposition Leader Stephen Harper from Sunday's V -E Day anniversary celebrations in Europe was shameful. Canada played a big role in liberating the Dutch from Nazi occupation in the Second World War, something the Netherlands have shown great appreciation for ever since. Memorials last week treated the Canadian veterans like the heroes they are. Instead of being there like they should have been, our four federal party leaders showed up in Europe 24 hours after the 60th anniversary of V -E Day took place. Kind of symbolic of how things are run in this country. What kept them absent? Politics, of course, and the never ending quest to cling to power. Martin was terri- fied his minority government would collapse had he gone to Europe. However, since the anniversary took place on a Sunday (when the House of Commons does- n't sit), there's no real reason Martin couldn't have been there. Some veterans, rightly so, are angry over Martin's and Harper's absence. Ultimately, the decision not to go was Martin's responsibility and missing V -E Day was simply another error in judgement. The veterans deserve better. He couldn't be more obvious in his desperate attempt to hold onto power. • On a lighter note, "Star Wars" geeks everywhere will be in hog heaven any day now with the upcoming release of "Revenge Of The Sith," the fmal chapter (sort of) of the space saga. I've never understood the geeks who dress up like Han Solo and stand in line three months before the movie opens. I'll admit I generally like the series (except the last two movies kinda sucked), but I can't see the logic of sleeping on a sidewalk for months on end SCOTT just so you get to see the movie on the first NIXON night. Hey, you'll get in eventually, there's no reason to lose your job over it. AND ANOTHER • Finally,I've reached the conclusion THING there's nothing more annoying than trying to drive 011 Highway 4, which must be the slowest, most frustrating road in the world. Every time I try to go somewhere (don't worry, I'm not shopping out of town), I get behind a soccer mom in a van or a Boer War vet- eran going 65 km/h. The highway either needs to be widened by a couple of lanes or these people need to get the hell off the road. About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. 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For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher/Editor Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 REPORTERS Scott Nixon ext. 105 Pat Bolen ext. 113 Stephanie Mandziuk ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Kim Hern ext. 102 COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext 114/103 Sharlene Young, ext 103 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Christina Scott ext. 108 Marg Pertschy ext. 111