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Townsman, 1991-09, Page 24C© Interesting time for political addicts By Jim Fitzgerald This fall and winter will be an interesting time for political addicts, like myself, as there will be no less than three provincial elections; the beginning of the year long run-up to the American election; and even Britain's John Major may be tripping to the polls this winter, as the new British prime minister seems to have overcome the hatred of the Torics left as a legacy by the departing "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher. Here at home in Canada, Premier Frank McKenna of New Brunswick appears to be on his way to bucking a nationwide trend of lately of throwing out incumbent governments like dis- carding used bubble gum wrappers. At this writing McKenna, whose Lib- erals had all 57 scats in the Legisla- ture will clean up again, although the odds look just about impossible for batting 1.000 and making a clean sweep twice in a row. On the other hand, things aren't going as well for Saskatchewan's Grant Devine. Barring a last minute electrical storm that strikes the NDP's Roy Romanow dead, Devine's Tories will be deeper than the Titanic when he finally goes to the polls this fall. He has hung on to power almost to the bitter end of his legal mandate, and even refuse to call the legislature back into session. The NDP, which polls show has a 40 point lead, are so sure of a win, that they are just lying in the bushes, waiting for Devine to fall on his sword, rather than offer any alternate policy or platform. Although things are not quite as bleak for British Columbia's Rita Johnson, who was just selected by the Social Credit party to succeed the dis- graced Bill Van Der Zalm, the odds are stacked against the possibilities of her continuing the S.C. dynasty, and there too, all the NDP opposition has to do is hide in the weeds and wait for the deceased to sink to the bottom. Nationally, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has only a year left in his mandate, as traditionally, majority governments seek a new mandate every four years. However, given his 15 per cent standing in the polls, which according to pollsters, is unique in Western democracies, he says he'll "not bother the electorate" until 1993. But Alain Giguere, president of the Montreal polling firm CROP, the decline in popularity is not only directed at the Prime Minister, but has affected all members of Parliament. Speaking at a recent seminar in Ottawa studying the causes of voter alienation in several countries, Giguerc said Canada is going through both a short-term and a longer term crisis of confidence, reports the Globe and Mail's Hugh Windsor. The poll- ster said Canadians think the system is breaking down, whether it is the envi- ronment, the economy or drugs. First indications of the crisis started show- ing up in polls before the last federal election, and after the failure of Meech Lake Constitutional accord. The public, he says, find Meech, the free trade agreement with the United States and the goods and ser- vice tax incomprehensible and are frustrated with the whole system. All MPs are paying the price, as are other political parties and their leaders. For instance, when CROP asked respon- dents in a recent survey which of the current party leaders should be lead- ing the country, almost 50 per cent replied none of the above. So why do citizens hate their politicians so much? Giguere believes that its roots go much deeper than the present crises, and reflect a major change in societal values and attitudes 22 TOWNSMAN/SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1991 toward authority and duty. People have acquired expectations that are impossible for the system to fulfill, Giguere says. As expectations increased, confidence decreased. He says the public has a fundamen- tal misunderstanding of the role of politicians and he advised parliamen- tarians that they should begin a dia- logue with their electors to explain the limits of what they can do about major problems. Sure, try telling public sector labour groups like teachers, doctors, and postal unions that there's no money left in the till to meet their "expectations" and see if you get re- elected. (Jim Fitzgerald is the gener- al manager/editor of The Rural Voice magazine, a former chief of staff to an Ontario cabinet minister and a Liber- al candidate in the last provincial election.) William Wallace GARDEN FI'RNITt RE LTD. Each item is handmade tothe highest standard and is constructed to withstand the most severe weather conditions; yet fine detail invites its use indoors as well. Crafted in Canada to English, French and Californian designs, these pieces provide the finishing touch to any garden, pool, atrium or public setting. Box 159, Fordwich, Ontario NOG 'IVO (519) 335-3759 or 335-6316 FAX (519) 335-3096 Available at Dig It The Garden Store - Bayfield