The Rural Voice, 1988-11, Page 71BRUCE
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• The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce
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County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
OPINION
THE DECISION
As November 21 draws near, the
question of how to vote is beginning to
push its way to the top of the list of
"things that have to be decided." For
myself this reoccurring struggle is
comparable to picking out a laxative,
wishing that none were necessary, but
being obliged to select what you think
might be the least disagreeable.
It appears that this very cynical
evaluation is becoming the norm rather
than the exception for voters in all major
Western democracies. In the U.S. elec-
tion it is expected that just over half of
eligible voters will visit the polls. While
we do slightly better in Canada, it is
clear that in general our faith in the
democratic process is waning. What has
gone wrong?
THE LEADERS
What we are able to make of the three
men seeking the job of Prime Minister
certainly plays a part in fostering doubt
and confusion. I make a clear distinc-
tion between criticizing the men them-
selves and their image as portrayed by
the media. All three could be and proba-
bly are likeable guys on a personal level,
but what comes to us day by day on
television, radio, and in the newspaper
is, without exception, disgusting.
These men, it appears, would do or
say anything to get elected. They un-
ashamedly promise us the moon on a
silver platter, without any thought of
how it can be paid for. If elected, each
one will guarantee a new era of prosper-
ity, billions in government assistance to
everyone, without raising taxes. In the
same breath, they caution us that those
other two devils will bankrupt the coun-
try, destroy social programs, raise taxes,
and sell us out to the Americans. The
personal insults they hurl at each other
would, if uttered by my four and six-
year-old, earn them a whack on the rear
end. When a controversial moral issue
arises, one that might give us a real
indication of their character, they sit
firmly on the fence.
These men do not impress me as
national leaders, but as pathetic little
puppets who long ago decided that the
70 THE RURAL VOICE
end, political power, justifies the means.
THE PARTIES
Many people still cling religiously to
one party or another, setting aside all
rational thought in the blind faith that
their party is the best. This approach
allows them to avoid the painful deci-
sion that each election brings, but then
so would a lobotomy.
In theory, the party system allows
voters to choose their man on ideologi-
cal grounds. In reality, no party could
ever hope to gain power on a platform
that is very far from centre, resulting in
three parties which are, despite what
their supporters claim, ideologically
similar.
Their differences on issues, while
greatly exaggerated during the cam-
paign, are usually motivated by political
expediency. A good example is the
battle between the Liberals and Conser-
vatives on free trade. While Turner calls
his opposition to the deal "the fight of
my life," it is quite likely that had he won
in 1984 a similar deal, negotiated by his
government, would be the issue of this
election and the Conservatives would be
dead set against it. Party politics, as it is
carried on today, is the ruin of democ-
racy. It encourages, in fact necessitates,
the abandonment of personal judgement
in favour of party policy.
If you are following me so far, I have
ruled out voting for the national leaders
or voting along party lines. What I am
left with is the rather more difficult task
of choosing between the three candi-
dates in my riding, based on my assess-
ment of personal character traits. The
person I want to vote for must be moti-
vated by the desire to serve society. He
or she must be a reformer, willing to
stand up and be counted on ethical is-
sues. He or she must be humble and
compassionate. Above all, that person
must be so dedicated to the principles
they hold that no threat or temptation
can lure them away.
To live in a democratic society is a
great privilege, one we should never
take for granted. All of us should be
involved in every election. Maybe it's
time we realized that we have to concen-
trate less on electing leaders and parties,
and elect representatives instead. If we
elect enougireliable representa-
tives, we will cnd up with more good,
reliable, representative government,
and a lot less cynicism.0
Respectfully submitted
BCFA Public Relations Committee
Note: Each month this page will contain an item
of opinion on some current farm issue. We would
like to know what YOU think. If your opinion
differs from the one you have read here, or if you
support our view, call the office at 464-3050.
MINUTES: BCFA
DIRECTORS MEETING
September 26, 1988
Murray Cardiff, Huron -Bruce MP,
attended the September meeting of the
BCFA. Concerns were expressed re-
garding the inadequacies of FDR and
FCC policies in dealing with farm bank-
ruptcies. Drought assistance was also
discussed. Bruce directors recommend
that any drought assistance program
should be based on the acre as well as
compensation for purchased feed. Hay
taken out of the barn would be on an
honour system. Murray agreed that
farm -fed grains must be included.
The Bruce North regional meeting
was September 27 in Tara. Bruce West
and South met September 28. Ken Kelly
was guest speaker at both meetings.
The annual meeting is planned for
Friday, November 4, 1988 at the Ripley
Community Centre. Social hour is 6
p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Bill Jongejan,
president of the CFFO, will be guest
speaker. The cost is $10 a person and
$20 a couple. Nominations were re-
quested for the Award of Merit to be
presented at the annual meeting.0
DON'T MISS
the All Candidates Meeting spon-
sored by the Bruce and Grey federa-
tions on November 2, 1988, 8 p.m.
at the Chatsworth Community
Centre for those in the new electoral
district of Grey and Bruce. Please
attend, ask questions, and hear the
views of the candidates concerning
agriculture.0