LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (July 29, 1991)

As argued by Mort Brown (T.N.M., July 15/91), democracy certainly needs to be redefined. I think wistfully of the days when politicians were concerned about people and not their own pockets. There have been a sickening number of occasions lately where both provincial and federal government politicians have abused public trust.

However, no scandals have been uncovered within the Ontario New Democratic government. They have demonstrated a level of sincerity and integrity that have been missing for a good number of years in both federal and provincial politics. I think that they deserve a pat on the back for this. Second, I would agree that deficits are not positive, but I would like to point out that the federal conservative government has contributed more to the public debt in the last seven years than all other federal governments combined. Further, none of the federal debt has been the result of New Democrats. In fact only a small portion of the provincial debts can be blamed on them.

Third, countries where environmental controls are minimal will someday have to pay for their sins. It makes good economic sense to try to recover pollutants before they disperse into the environment where they can never be fully recovered. As the commercial once stated: “You can pay me now or you can pay me later.” However, the cost will be much higher if we pay later. Finally, it seems to me that good journalism should provide a balanced viewpoint with positive suggestions for issues about which the writer has concerns.

Brown’s article does not provide even one alternative.

William Mracek

Marathon, Ont.