Dear Mr. Editor You published an interesting letter from Dr. Wagner (02/09/11) in which he encourages everyone to excercise their right to vote, a view I readily support. He further touches on some of the qualities we should look for in our politicians. Where his analysis fails is in his understanding of the electorate. The majority of voters cast their vote based on information gained during the short campaign. On the other hand, those that follow politics generally follow media commentators whose writings are in line with the readers thoughts or preconceived ideas. It is the rare voter who seeks out independant data or conflicting reporting in order to arrive at a balanced view. Even rarer are the citizens who take an active interest in the parties, through membership, fundraising and volunteering. To exemplify this take a look at two letters published the same day as Dr. Wagners: Janet Vallery writes that when McGuinty talks about health care he does not talk about the added health premiums he initiated. Well, he did, 7 yrs ago. When the Liberals came into office it was found that there was a hidden 6 billion dollar structural defecit and the year prior the Conservatives had hid a 3 billion dollar defecit by selling off highway 407 (a sale well worth reading about particularily in light of Hudaks push for the mid-pen highway). McGuinty needed to raise revenue in order to cover this inheritated defecit and recover our health care system. As a result it is now law that an independant audit of the government books be performed so that parties cannot hide the true state of provincial finances during an election. The writer then goes on to assign blame to McGuinty for the billion dollar ehealth scandal. Yet the auditor found that 800 million was spent on the Conservative initiated Smart Systems for Health Care Agency. The current government pulled the plug on Smart Systems when they realized it was a dead end and financial sink hole. Since then 6 million patients have electronic records and all 2.6 million seniors who receive drug benefits have online records. Further if you have a scan at an out of area hospital, your doctor at Groves can now view the scan, resulting in valuable time saved and duplication avoided. The writer goes on about Ontarios growing debt but fails to note that Ontario represents 38% of Canada’s population, gives Ottawa more than it receives, that our debt rose 128 billion in 8 yrs while federally debt rose 125 billion in the past 3 yrs. Ontario has one of the lowest corporate tax rates and will be the lowest at the end of next year, yet blames McGuinty for driving out manufacturers when every industrialized economy is losing manufacturing to third world, low income, countries. Where is the bi-partisan inquiry and reflection? Where is the balanced research and facts? Both Janet Vallery and James Virgin touch on wind turbines. One states they only operate 15% of the time while the other points out that residents are subject to loud noise (50db). Is the noise persistant or is it only equavilant to about 3.5 hrs a day? People respond differently to noise, a person who snores averages 60db, caribbean tree frogs 70db steadily through the night. People adapt to constant noise such as those who live in a city or near a highway (or with tree frogs). Conversley, a quieter, yet intermittant noise, can cause sleep distubance (such as the infrequent passing of a car in a quiet residential area). As you can see there are many issues, most not even touched upon and some that might be of no interest to you. Both Mr. Virgin and Dr. Wagner either question or encourage involvement at a political level. How? I strongly encourage you to attend as many rallies and debates as possible. Pay $10 and join a party and get involved, particularily at election time but stay involved. Join the executive or a committee. Politician want to reach out to as many people as possible, contact your constituency office about holding a wine and cheese or coffee and donuts or corn roast for a candidate. They need the money you can raise to get their message out and to cover expenses and you and your neighbours or group will have an opportunity to speak directly to the candidate. Ted Arnott has 21 years in government, Moya Johnson has 16 yrs. as a town councillor. Both have a track record worth exploring and policy ideas. Ask them what happens to the new Groves Hospital after the election. Or ask your local councillor what it means to your tax bill if the Province stops uploading the costs of municipal amalgamations. Get involved.
Raymond Trafford