The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PAGE 8 â€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1994 It seems the Waterloo Chronicle is following the lead of The Record in attacking Roman Catholics. The recent articles by Tom Brockelbank, then by Fred Sagel, attacking the Pope for confirming the church‘s stand against artificial contraception, is an attack on all "real" Catholics. Of course, there are some cafeteria Catholics â€"â€" those who pick and choose church teaching that suits their their lifestyle, who support the views of these columâ€" nists. Any Pope and for that matter, any priest or bishop worthy of the title can never condone artificial contraâ€" ception since it is unnatural; ie. against nature. themselves far more intelligent than the Pope and all the worldwide advisors the Pope would consult before he issues a statement on faith and morals. I also find it strange that these two local papers seem to go out of their way to antagonize the roughly 35 to 40 per cent of Catholic readers in this area. From a business point of view, this seems mighty dumb to me! working in Canada In response to the article entitled "Canada Needs Direct Democracy" in the Waterloo Chronicle on Febâ€" ruary 23, 1994, I just have to say that although it is far from perfect, Canada does have one of the best political systems in the world. Since a large percentâ€" age of the Canadian population is misinformed or not interested in the government and political issues, it would not make sense to adopt a system of direct democracy. Politicians who have devoted their lives to learning the system and researching current events are better judges of the issues than their constituents. Also, many delegate MPs support the wishes of their constituents directly so it would be worthless for these citizens to vote themselves. Most Canadians do not read the entire newspaper or watch all the news on television when they get home from work. They just select what they want to research current issues and to debate these issues all day, they are much better informed than the majority of their constituents and can therefore be a better judge as to whether the issue is good or bad for Canada. MPs are also assigned to various committees and task forces that deal specifically with issues. Another problem is that the average Canadian citizen looks at an issue as to its effect on themselves: whereas an MP"s job is to figure out if that issue is or isn‘t beneficial to the majority of Canada or the majorâ€" ity of their riding. If there was a referendum, many people would also waste their ballot because they are simply not interested in politics or Canada‘s future. Representative democracy is I find it amusing that t earch current issues and to debate these issues all . deficit. They pay well belowithe average of other G7 y, they are much better informed than the majority . nations and many pay only twoâ€"three per tent thanks their constituents and can therefore be a better . to the availability of tax free offshore havens. The Libâ€" ige as to whether the issue is good or bad for erals, like the Tories, prefer to take the easy way out nada. MPs are also assigned to various committees _ and will drastically reduce social programs such as d task forces that deal specifically with issues. . medicare, the OAS and eventually the CPP. other problem is that the average Canadian citizen _ The media, part of the business establishment ks at an issue as to its effect on themselves: which supports the political hierarchy, are reluctant ereas an MP"s job is to figure out if that issue is or . to acknowledge the impending crisis but by adopting t beneficial to the majority of Canada or the majorâ€" _ a stance which is "politically correct" they do a grave of their riding. If there was a referendum, many . disservice to the public at large. ple would also waste their ballot because they are David Crow aply not interested in politics or Canada‘s future. ° Waterloo MODIVA BEDROOMS | HheF Y ily 10 tiP 6 .=~~ .« 746â€"8059 «s . A New Concept in Affordable Fitted Bedroom Furniture WESTMOUNT + PLACE + SHOPPING + CENTRE EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE IS OUR GUARANTEE! their constituents are in the majority since represenâ€" tatives often face the risk of losing power because they voted against the needs of their constituents. Since this is true, most votes in the House of Commons reflect the views of the majority of the population. If enhpumhndthoirmm,thormhwm“ likely be the same as a vote by the MPs. MPs‘ jobs entail a lot of interaction with their ridings through speeches and special events and through mail and mfiuufiuuwmm this is true, an MP would be a fool to vote against :a:ohtinghekmwh’umflmmb-vflyin In conclusion, I believe that Canada‘s representaâ€" tive democracy is adequate because the MPs are betâ€" ter informed on current events than their constituents Also, since most MPs vote for their constituents, there would be no purpose in having referendums on every Fred Sagel‘s excellent column "Missing the Story" was a well written indictment of both the news media and successive federal governments for refusing to recognize the gravity of the national debt. Despite Mr. Chretien‘s popularity, he seems unaware of the crisis. With yearly révenues averaging $129 billion and expenditures averaging $163 billion, it is only a matâ€" ter of time before the system collapses and the IMF There are many obvious solutions. Government extravagance is legendary. Every year, successive auditors general revea} massive waste but nobody is ever held accountable. Official bilingualism, a legacy of the Trudeau years, is a costly failure. Multiculturalâ€" ism is a total waste of public money. All special interâ€" est groups should be privately funded. Foreign aid should be drastically reduced and immigration severely curtailed. To admit one quarter of a million people every year when 15â€"20 per cent of our own peoâ€" ple cannot find permanent employment is sheer Obvious solutions In order to increase annual revenue, a mere oneâ€" perâ€"cent increase in the tax rate paid by banks and large corporations would significlntly r?dgce the Delegate MPs who base their votes on the wishes of [ All Brands Large Cigarettes $3.00 tax included | 255 King St. N., Wat. the Mondayâ€"Saturday 8 a.m.â€"9.p.m. Sunday 9 a.m.â€"6 p.m. NEWSTAND â€" NOW OPEN â€" 886.â€"4694