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It’s up to Canadians to use votes wisely Dear Sir: Your comments link voting for the Reform Party to the disastrous vote that swept the provincial NDP into power. This is unfair. The NDP are modern day socialists and are blind to the realities of our pesent Dear Sir: I am just a simple man. Therefore, at a recent all candidates meeting, I had a simple question. “When a vote is called, and it is not a free vote, which 'way would you vote if your constituency wanted you to vote differently than the Party wanted you to vote? You have three choices 1) not to show up for the vote; 2) to vote with the Party or 3) to vote with your constituents?” The Natural Law candidate, indicated it would be a nonâ€"issue because of their consensus building method of enacting legislation. The Reform Party, the NDP and an Independent can- didate did not hesitate. They would vote as directed by their constituents. Both the Reform Party and the Independent candidates believed that representing the wishes of the electorate was fundamental to the democratic process. The Conservative and Liberal candidates would vote with the Party. While the Conservative candi- date was straight forward about her decision; Linking Reform Party support to NDP protest vote unfair SE] 590 Argus Road, Oakville (Trafalgar Rd., south of QEW) economic difficulties. Who can for- get Pink Floyd Laughrcn saying that his government was “proud to spend our way out of the recession”. Ten billion dollars further in debt, tax revenues declining and two years later, the NDP is singing a difâ€" During these final days leading up to the election, I wonder whether Canadians will con- tinue to allow the few individuals who manu- facture Party policy to create the regulations by which we, the governed, consent to be ruled. Or will we exercise our right, as we did with the “Referendum”, reject the status quo and this time vote for individuals who will be responsi- ble to us and our needs. For decades we have been led to believe that the only way to vote is for the Party and the campaign promises they have made. The “Referendum” changed that. The “Referendum” empowered us. It demonstrated that we, the electorate, have the power to change things, to express our will and make our voices heard. Are we about to give up that power? Are we willing the Liberal candidate indicated that her Party, the World Bank and her conscience all took precedence over the direction of her con- stituents. ferent time. However, we saw their socialist stripes before we elected them. Likewise, and as you point out, we’ve seen the political stripes of the Conservatives (Campbell and Mulroney) and Liberals (Trudeasu This election is not about issues. This is an election about Power. The politicians believe that they and their party should have the power. If you agree with them, then you have the right to return the power to them, return to the status quo. If you believe that it is your right to be heard and your right to be represented in gov- ernment, then keep the power and vote for someone who will be responsive to your needs and the needs of your neighbors. This election isn’t over helicopters or the deficit. This election is pure and simply about representation, about voice, about your voice. We will never have a better opportunity than this election to be heard. It is up to each of us to make a decision. Do you want to change the system or leave it as it is. This is your chance to be heard. The power is in your hands. Use it wisely. to return to the status quo? 760-4372 1 -800-263-4773 Preston Manning and the Reform Party may be called many things but “socialist” is not one of them. If anything, they may be too capitalis- tic for a country addicted to massive government spending. and Chretien). K.L. Smith As for Refonn’s evolving agen- da, let’s face the facts. Whoever forms the next government will be severely handicapped because they will find (or claim to find) the coun- try’s finances in worst shape than they thought possible. That means that any election rhetoric can be jet- tisoned and it’s business as usual. We can’t afford business as usual. We know what that means for Conservatives and Liberals with past patronage and deficits beyond belief. That’s the really scary stuff. If we don’t get our fiscal house in order, we won’t be able to afford the social services we take for granted. Preston Manning says he believes in smaller, more efficient government, fiscal responsibility and more direct democracy like the Charlottetown Accord referendum. These are his political stripes and he is effectively getting this message across. I believe this is why we are seeing the recent surge in Reform Party popularity. Manning may not have all the details, but even if he only partially succeeds in making his simple philosphy work, the price of protest may well be worth it. What price indeed. Andrew Croll