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\ 6 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, November 29,1989 Canadian statesman Durham Region's Great Family Journal Established 135 years ago in 1854 ® Also Incorporating I » The Bowmanville News MA The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second Class mail registration number 1561 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited 62 King Street West, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 416-623-3303 Fax 416-623-6161 cn John M. James Richard A. James Editor - Publisher Associate Publisher Peter Parrott Brian Purdy Donald Bishop Associate Editor Advertising Mgr. Plant Mgr. All layouts and composition of advertisements produced by the employees of James Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. 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It's Time to Reconsider Our Standard of Living The other day, we were reading some information from economic forecasters forecasters who suggested that Canada's standard of living may not continue to grow in the 21st Century the way it has grown in the past several decades. The knee-jerk reaction to statements statements such as this is typical. We wring our hands and shake our heads and mutter something about things not being as good as they used to be. But, let's just think for a few seconds seconds about this matter of a standard of living. By what authority do we claim the right to a standard of living that increases increases three or four per centage points every year? Somehow, it seems odd to imagine a person with two cars and a summer cottage and a house, microwave, color TV, dishwasher, and all the other gadgets gadgets and gizmos worrying too much about the fact that his standard of living living may not continue to rise into the stratosphere. It seems, to us, that an ever- increasing standard of living isn't as important at the end of the 20th century century as it was at the beginning of the current century. And yet, our minds are so accustomed accustomed to the concept of a higher standard standard of living that we cannot let go of the idea. At the start of this century, nobody owned a car and many people walked wherever they needed to go. As standards of living improved, families acquired one car and then (in many cases) two. But is it now necessary necessary for the average family to acquire three cars just to maintain an obsolete notion that a standard of living must increase? At the beginning of the century, it made sense for people to pursue a higher standard of living; quite frankly, frankly, many people lived under miserable conditions. Those conditions were improved somewhat with the development of electric lights, automobiles, radios, televisions, televisions, frozen foods, antibiotics, and a long list of other items which have made living easier, safer, and more convenient. But, somewhere along the line, we have been thrust onto a treadmill of rising expectations. And, if we pursue this process further, we will reach the stage when everyone has at least seven seven cars and twelve houses. It goes without saying that such a standard of living, although high, is also virtually impossible. It's especially impossible when we keep in mind the fact that the natural resources of our planet are limited and strained to the breaking point. In any assessment of a country's standard of living, there are a few problems which come to mind. The first problem is the fact that such standards are based solely on consumer goods and incomes. That kind of measurement is understandable, understandable, because of the fact that it's easy to find statistics concerning the number of refrigerators or electric tea kettles owned by a particular group of people. _ Unfortunately, a catalogue of material material wealth is not the only way to determine determine whether a person enjoys a high standard of living. Perhaps it's time that we also added some new measurements into the equation. For a standard of living ought to include other other factors such as the amount of time an individual has to go fishing, participate participate in a hobby or pastime, or play with his children and grandchildren. Surely this way of calculating a standard standard of living is more important than merely adding up the number of vehicles vehicles in a driveway. The other problem with measuring a standard of living has to do with the fact that any such standard is based on an "average". While an average Canadian Canadian may enjoy a very high standard standard of living, that statistic means nothing to the Canadian who is sleeping sleeping on a park bench or existing without without adequate food. And statistics tell us that the number number of Canadians living in poverty is in the hundreds of thousands. In other words, a successful measurement measurement of our standard of living should take into account the fate of those in our country who are least fortunate. fortunate. When they are adequately sheltered, fed, and educated, then we might claim, with some justification, that our standard of living has improved. improved. In discussing the issue of exactly what is a good standard of living, we should make clear the fact that the solution solution js not to "level" everyone's living conditions and give them all the same things regardless of their abilities, skills, or hard work. Such a concept never works. However, it might be time for us to reconsider the whole concept of what is a high standard of living. Can We Handle Peace? For the past four decades, the world has been preparing for the possible outbreak of war between the superpowers. superpowers. The question now appears to be whether or not both sides are sufficiently sufficiently prepared for peace. We should applaud the efforts under under way to increase personal and collective collective freedoms in the Soviet bloc. But sometimes even good intentions can have bad results. The greater freedoms allowed in the Soviet Union and the other nations within its orbit will certainly result in a de-stabilization of that society. And, in an unstable regime, almost anything anything can happen. That's where the problem lies. The reforms which are now sweeping sweeping the Soviet bloc have been introduced introduced without much advance preparation. preparation. It is not enough to hand individuals freedom on a silver platter. They must also be prepared for it. The freedoms which exist in a modern modern democracy are supported with institutions institutions such as a free press, public education, parliamentary institutions, an independent judiciary, and a belief in the work ethic. But, none of these things have developed over a few days. Tne spectacle of hundreds of thousands thousands of people marching in the streets in support of a better future is, at once, both encouraging and frightening. frightening. Will these people accept the fact that line-ups for consumer goods and other remnants of their totalitarian government system will not disappear overnight? Will the hard-liners in government government and the armed forces be willing willing to accept the changes and cheerfully cheerfully give up their status and jobs from the old regime? Will a society accustomed accustomed to state control of industry and commerce be able to compete in a dog- eat-dog global economy? Will the. various ethnic groups within within the Soviet Bloc be capable of working working together or will each group pursue its own agenda of cultural sovereignty to the detriment of the others? These are questions which will probably be answered within the next few years. The new instability in the East is preferable to the repression that has gone on during most of the past century. century. But such instability can spawn new disasters. Millions died in the civil strife which followed independence in the nation of India. The United States went through a civil war in its early days. And the political uncertainty following following the First World War allowed the demagogue, Adolf Hitler, to seize control and start a new world conflict. There are many similar examples which could be cited as proof of the fact that changes in the political system system can lead to dangerous times. If that's the case, the next decade in the Soviet Union will bring both opportunities opportunities and new dangers. It's not entirely an exaggeration to suggest that the new developments could produce produce continuing threats to world peace. For example, a backlash against the new freedoms could easily bring the more conservative, hard-line communists communists back into popularity. Under this scenario, the brief encounter with freedom freedom could be followed by greater repression repression than has existed in the past. Such occurrences are not entirely without precedent in the Soviet Union and other communist countries. The events in China this year are one of the more glaring examples of an outburst outburst of freedom followed by repression. repression. The latest developments in the Soviet Soviet Union should be regarded with optimism, optimism, but not without an equal helping helping of caution. News idem: BowrmnviÜAS "ircpPic ANXy soon be ccnfrûüed by ike compuWized WbiHoy draPPic control Center. Safety Comes First ; During N ational :1 Safe Driving Week For the past month I have been struggling through Milton's epic. poem "Paradise Lost" for my English course. I was wondering, after each agonizing agonizing page, if I was ever going to learn anything anything from it. It wasn't until I went to a St. Stephen's High School meeting where dress codes were discussed discussed that I realized I actually had. If you are familiar with the poem, you'll know that it is 12 books long and is pretty heavy reading. It's full of all the literary devices - first learned at high school: si- milies, metaphors and allusions. allusions. After a few discussions in class, without delving --vi'm^not sayi too far into it here, I be- . someorie could be distort- gan to realize that what I ing the truth but some- around dress codes and potential school uniforms. Every person in the room had their own opinions on the matter and a few of them expressed them. Some people talked about other high schools in the separate school system that had uniforms. uniforms. Those people said students liked the uniforms. uniforms. They said administrators administrators had no problems enforcing dress codes and that everyone was happy with school uniforms. Being an unbiased listener listener at the meeting I wondered whether or not I or any of the parents in the room, should believe people who say things t.work because they have seen it. : „ cil'mr; ; not saying that was reading wasn't quite what I thought it was. The only way I started to understand the poem times we all tend to ignore'some ignore'some facts when we are 1 trying to win people to our way of thinking. was through questioning • 'S* h "I e Jï? it and not believing that what I was reading was exactly what it seemed to be. / As I was listening to parents speak at the meeting at St. Stephen's, I was struck by the thought that people need to do this all the time. They should question things for themselves and not just believe something something because they are told that is so. The discussion at the public meeting centred ticular viewpoint, we often often tend to remember only the evidence which supports that view. The best advice I heard at the meeting came from the director of education, Peter Roach, who said the parents should find out for themselves themselves if school uniforms work at other schools. "You have the information information available, you don't have to take it from me or others. That, you can get personally," he said. He suggested if the Committee Asks for Help to Reach Goal Dear Sir: Canada has an enviable international record as a friend of poor and oppressed people. Since 1968, when the international commission commission headed by our former Prime Minister, the Hon. Lester Pearson, issued its report "Partners in Development", Development", Canada has been a leader in development assistance assistance for Third World countries. countries. The Unitarian Service Committee, under the inspired inspired leadership of its founder, Dr. Lotta Hitsch- manova, was a key player in helping to build Canada's reputation. Along with other prominent Canadian voluntary voluntary organizations, USC Canada helped Canadians channel their concern for the world's poor into practical, practical, effective and well- managed people to people programs. 1989 marks a significant turnaround in our government's government's attitude and commitment. commitment. Despite ample evidence evidence that Canadians are as caring as ever about the massive poverty and human suffering in our world, our government slashed our development development assistance budget by 23 percent. Support for USC Canada's programs was cut by $35,000. The USC is having to appeal with new trust and confidence confidence to the generosity of the Canadian people. As we approach the Christmas season, USC Canada is still $500,000 short of its $1.5 million public public fundraising target this year. These are dollars that translate into life for thousands thousands of children. For USC, parents really want to know what dress codes are like and how well the dress codes are accepted at other schools, the best way to find out is to ask for themselves. I think that is what all of us should be doing at all times. If you have been hearing hearing stories about how the GST will affect you, find the information out for yourself. Phone your MP. Phone an opposition MP. Read newspaper reports. And don't just believe what you are told or what you read. Question. Ques tion critically and honestly honestly to find out what you want to know. If something is important important to you, you owe it to yourself to know all you can before you make a decision. decision. The parents at St. Stephen's Stephen's last Thursday night were repeatedly told that dress codes are an emotional issue. Yes, they are. But, before a decision decision is made, I hope the people on both sides who will be deciding the matter matter will base their decision decision on reason instead of emotion. More than 4,000 lives are lost on Canadian roads every every year. COURTESY IS....is not just a theme for National National Safe Driving Week; it's a viable way to reduce tragic statistics. The Canada Safety Safety Council's (CSC) 34th annual annual campaign on December 1-7 challenges all drivers to make old-fashioned courtesy a conscious part of safe driving driving habits. Think of how many times you may have carelessly cut off the car behind you. The consequences could be frustrating frustrating at best, or tragic at worst. Many drivers make the assumption that everyone everyone is able to judge a situation situation quickly and react to it safely. Not so, the CSC has found; 85 per cent of traffic accidents are attributed to driver error. National Safe Driving Week raises awareness of current trends in driving. Two timely issues are attitudes attitudes toward elderly drivers and the growing popularity of cellular phones. Emile Therien, President of the CSC, explains this year's campaign addresses seniors, cellular phones and safe driving. "We challenge all young drivers especially, to learn to understand and share the road with senior drivers. We also want to raise awareness among motorists motorists about the safe use of cellular phones. Most importantly, importantly, we urge all Canadians Canadians to drive accident and fatality-free fatality-free during the week." Nearly one-fifth of Canadian Canadian drivers is over the age of 55. "Older drivers need to be alerted to changes taking place within themselves, says Bert Hanmer, an active member of several CSC seniors seniors issues groups. He uses night driving as an example. Vision naturally deteriorates deteriorates with age, and quality of vision can oe seriously affected affected by glare on well-lit motorways. "Travel on fa- budget cuts are not measured measured only in dollars and percentages, percentages, but in literate parents, parents, healthy children and lower infant mortality rates for our African and Asian partners. In this our traditional season of gift-giving, USC Canada once again appeals to the generous Canadian public. Please send contributions contributions to 56 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5É1. John Martin Chief Executive Officer USC Canada 56 Sparks Street Ottawa, Ontario K1P5B1. Winter Road Report Service In Effect November 20 The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has announced announced that its Winter Road Reporting Service for the public will go into operation operation on Monday, November 20. The Road Information Centro at Toronto and the Ministry's offices throughout the province will be offering up-to-date information on the condition of all provincial provincial and sccondaiy highways 24-hours-n-day, seven-days- a-wcck during the winter months. Locally, information on winter road conditions may bo obtained around the clock by telephoning the following toll-free numbers: 1-800- 268-1376 or 1-800-268-1387. What better time to tell our many wonderful friends and patrons that we wish them the joy of the season always! * JJj. •a ■1 * .'i miliar routes, plan out your trip or when possible, do your driving in daylight;" says Hanmer. • *o "As the use of cellular phones increases, so does the. importance of user education," education," says Therien. Cell- Net Canada, corporate sponsor sponsor of the campaign, is committed committed to the responsible operation operation of cellular phones, and has joined forces with the CSC. '->!• The cellular phone is nj>t only a business tool, but is-ja valuable safety device coiji- monly used for on-the-spot traffic reporting and is often the quickest means of reporting reporting emergencies. "There is one 911 call every three minutes in Canada from}a cellular phone," says Bob Latham, President, CellNbt Canada. i MAKE SAFETY YOUR DRIVING CONCERN h CellNet's campaign to encourage encourage the more thin 300,000 cellular phone users to operate phones wisely. Safety tips include usifig speed dialing and the handsfree handsfree options, memorizing the location of controls and plalc- ing calls only when stopped. Canada Safety Council encourages communities across the country to partiti- pate in the week. Eighty- seven communities lasttyear were honored for their safedriving safedriving efforts by Governdr- General Jeanne Sauve. The CSC's Certificate of Meritjis presented to cities with papulations papulations of more than 40,000 that report no driving fatalities fatalities during Safe Driving Week. This year, the challenge challenge goes to 95 cities. i "Most collisions could be avoided if drivers would practise courteous driving behavior," insists Therien.» Whether changing lands, making a left turn or answering answering your phone, Therien adds a valuable piece of advice, advice, "Always remember, common sense is your best defense." r . f y .> / V- r / % Our annual Christmas Greetings edition of The Canadian Statesman and The Newcastle Independent, will be published on Wednesday, December 20th. If your company would like to have a Christmas message in this edition, please call 623-3303, or come in to our M offices at 62 King Street West, Bowmanville Sfje Canabtan Statesman St) e £ehi castle Inbepenbent SfcSKSg!