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To the Editor: When a member of parlia- ment takes his/her seat in the House of Commons it is on the understanding that he/she will represent the best interests of the Canadi- ans. Lucien Bouchard, how- ever, took his seat hell-bent on the destruction of Canada as we know it. As long as there is a threat of separation, every Canadi- an's financial future is jeop- ardized. The threat of the next referendum is like the "Sword of Damocles" precari- ously poised to destroy the Canadian Economy and the future for investors, pension- ers, children as well as job se- curity for each of us. As if he has not sabotaged this country sufficiently, | Bouchard now intends to claim his $32,000. Federal ension in addition to his $100,000 premier's salary. Mr. Bouchard claims that 'he one day hopes to negotiate a financial settlement with the rest of Canada on behalf of an independent Quebec. How can he expect the rest of Canada to negotiate in good faith when he has demon- strated that he lacks the strength of his own convic- tions? Indeed, he is so un- principled as to exploit, for his personal gain, the bene- fits of the Federal establish- ment. Yet he would deprive his own people of the benefits of that establishment. While Quebec and what may be left of Canada would languish in economic chaos, he would re- main financially well off. Even after his temporary "donation" of that life long pension. Marian Cook, Blackstock To the Editor: I have just listened to a mes- sage on my answering machine Which leaves me very frustrat- ed. This caller expressed concern that the council was delaying the development on the Conway property: "There is only one gro- cery store in town. What's the matter with this council? Are they only looking after them- selves? We should boot them all out in the next election. I am fed up. Unfortunately the irate caller did not leave a name or phone number, so I could not call him back. If I may, I would like to an- swer the "mystery" caller through your paper: This coun- cil is not delaying the develop- ment on the Conway property. We all would like to see the de- velopment go ahead. e need to make sure that the development does not add to our costs so that we don't have to raise taxes to look after costs Councillor replies to call that the development is sure to bring. I feel confident that the caller does not want to pay for road improvement or other items which the developer should have to cover. I would also like to point out that the telephone which he called me on is paid for by me so that he and other citizens can call their elected representa- tive. I also held a "Town Hall" "meeting in December in Utica so that I could bring everyone up to date on the current pro- jects before the council, includ- ing the Conway development. This meeting was advertised in both local papers (I paid for the advertisement). I don't remem- ber this caller speaking at the meeting. Call me if you have a con- cern...if I'm not there leave a message, but at least leave your phone number so I can call you back. Doug Moffatt, Councillor, Ward 1 Government cuts are unfair To the Editor: The cuts that the provincial and federal governments are making are hurting the ones that are already hurting. I do not see where the people had anything whatsoever to do with the provincial or federal deficit. The ones to blame for the high deficit are the MPs and MPPs that spent more of the taxpay- .er's money than they took in. The politicians are the people who should be getting their pay, and parties cut and stop pad- ding their own back pockets. I can't imagine how many people even came close to what they get over and above their pension and freebies, let alone their high wages. Not until all Canadians can stick together and not just a few groups, which I doubt will ever happen, will they ever accom- plish anything. Until the people do they will forever get the shaft from all levels of government. I amin favor of some cuts but not the ones on education or health care or on the people that really need it. The welfare system should re- vert back to the old system of paying needed bills not handing out money. That way money would be spent on necessities and not on booze and drugs. That way the children do not suffer. I am in no way saying that all welfare persons do it, but some do. I would like to see the MPs with their gold plated pension and freebies live on the low pen- sion that they expect others to live on. The federal government should also look after their own first, instead of foreign aid to other countries. R. Collins, Seagrave . Saskatchewan, 60 per cent say they've never showered with 'Canadians claim that they "complete other tasks" while in the A ------------------ by Jeff Mitchell DO YOU SHOWER WITH THE DOG? GOOD, CLEAN FUN: Do you sing in the shower? What do you sing -- country, pop, or opera? How long does it take you to shower? Do you like to share the shower stall? Does it take longer when you do? ...Those were the kinds of questions handled by respondents who took part recently in a country-wide poll of our showering habits, commissioned by Dove Moisturizing Body Wash, and conducted by Decima Research. The company says it surveyed 1,518 Canadians aged 18 and older during the exercise. It doesn't say why. They came up with some interesting data, though. For instance, did you know that Quebecers are twice as likley to shower with their dogs than are folks in the Rest of Canada? ...Distinct Society, indeed. Still with La Belle Province, it says here that 65 per cent of respondents claim to have shared the shower with someone else; no big deal, until you read further and find that's twice the national average. It gets worse as you head west: In someone else. This is tragic. So, given these figures alone, one might conclude Canadians are pretty straightforward about the daily ritual. Just hop in, turn on the water, lather up, and hop out, right? Well... not really. Survey results show 10 minutes as the average amount of time spent in the shower (except for PEI, where the provincial average is 25 per cent less than in every other region), and then comes a most troubling statistic: Some 38 per cent of shower. What other tasks? "in Quebec, it could be washing the dog or catching up on events of the day with your spouse, while in Saskatchewan, where showering is a solitary pursuit.... Well, who knows? Actually, the report says these tasks include shaving, brushing teeth, and -- answering the phone. THIS JUST IN: Decima Research has released survey results which indicates 85 per cent of Canadians think the majority of polis being conducted today are an utter waste of time. MORE BAD LUCK: It was sad to hear at the end of last week that the Port Kinsmen were forced, due to bad weather, to cancel their dog sled races. They were to have been held this past weekend. Bad luck seems to shadow the event, despite the best intentions of the club members who work so hard to make it happen. It's a shame. But keep your chins up, fellows, and keep up the good work. Everybody's rooting for ya. SOME GOOD LUCK: It was a pleasure this week to talk to someone who's actually had luck playing those damned scratch and win (ha!) lottery tickets. Marnie Ranger of Port Perry and her husband Mike are like the rest of us: They play sometimes, but have never won, and never really expect to. Then, one day, it happens. Congrats. Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten answers. Every so often we hear of a person who wants to end their life before their body wants to let go. The reason is usually due to a disease or ailment that has reduced their quality of life to a point they've become a prisoner within their own body. Such is the case of a man who recently made a petition to the government to end his life. At age 70, the man is completely paralyzed and dependent on EUTHANASIA... THE MORAL DILEMMA '8 Thequestionofendinga Bl human life premature by eutha- nasiais a sensitive one, and one --=J that stirs up a wide range of differ- ent SHiolions. And it's a question with no simple others for every function of his existence. He eats through a tube in his stomach, cannot speak, move his head, legs or arms. His mind is active and clear, but he is imprisoned within a body that no longer functions. - Communicating to the outside world only with the movement of his eyes, he expresses his greatest fear is living for another 20 years in this condition. He wants to die with the little dignity he has left. And why not? Well, the answers to the question are as varied and complicated as the condition itself. What if a cure is found? Should anyone play God? Who will - make that final decision? How do you end a life humanely? The decision to end a life is a tough one, but society must consider the individual who no longer wants to live. It's their life, and they should have the final say as to when and where they want it to end. It sometimes appears as if we have more com- passion for animals than we do for our fellow man. If an animal develops an illness thatis incurable or is suffering from injuries, itis simply given a shot which ends its life quickly and peacefully. This is not the case with humans, who through the marvels of the medical technology available today, can be kept living for years against their desire. And with technology advancing at break- neck speed, in years to come itis plausible that a person could be kept alive indefinitely. Irealize there is a moral question here, butcan't believe anyone, even those who argue against tak- ing a life, would want to live in a suspended state for years on end with no hope of getting better. The road is paved with good intentions, but there has to be a time to admit, enoughis enough. In my opinion, to keep someone alive who no longer possesses the ability to care for themselves, or enjoy some quality of life is wrong, if that person has made a clear decision itis time to end the pain. For society to play God and keep aperson alive by mechanical means whendeathwouldhave » been the natural end, is a selfish, inhumane act. Atleast that's the way | seeit.