peterr@utcsrgv.UUCP (Peter Rowley) (02/20/84)
How exciting... an election year! Possibly for both Canada and the US (the current Cdn govt has to call an election before spring '85). But, so far, it all leaves me a bit cold. It is unclear whether or not the candidates are deliberately trying to be all things to all people, but it comes out that way. Fortunately, it still seems possible to read between the lines and figure out what they would really do. Still, it would be nice if this were not necessary. Hence, I propose that Honesty be introduced as one of the rules of the political game. In return for getting straight and complete answers from public people, we should agree not to damn people for admitting they've made a mistake; all we will look for is an indication that they understood why the mistake happened and that they are taking measures so that it won't happen again. It always struck me as very odd, esp. in my younger days, that it isn't a crime for an elected official to lie to the news media. Surely, it is as bad as perjury. Democracy is greatly aided by accurate and plentiful information from such officials; greatly hurt by misinformation. Once we get the facts, the real problems will be more apparent, and we can start making the hard decisions (and possibly sacrifices) needed to solve them. As it is, the virtual torrent of perverted, misleading language that rarely addresses issues directly makes even identifying the problems tough. And surely contributing to this torrent is an anti-social act worthy of punishment. So, I suggest that we get a new law on the books: perjury to the media. If it is shown that an elected official knowingly lied to the media, that official is immediately removed from office and possibly fined and/or jailed. Elected officials would be responsible for the statements of appointees that speak in their name, and possibly for other appointees (e.g. US cabinet members). Enough of this messing around, with "inoperative" statements, "arbitrary deprivation of life" (StateDeptspeak for "killing"), and "pacification"; let's make 'em tell us the truth. A footnote to this: John Crosbie, Canadian MP and Finance Critic for the opposition federal Progressive Conservative party, recently said (and repeated) that if he told the public what the PC's would do to the economy if they were elected, no one would vote for them. That's a twist... p. rowley, U. Toronto