Last Updated:Thursday - 07/15/2010

WCR Letters to the Editor

Political spotlights tell all

It may be a pleasant surprise to get a letter praising one of your editorials! However, I did think your"Be Involved in Political Process" (WCR, Dec. 26) deserved some. I would, however, like to add a couple of things to it from my experiences as a candidate and an elected official.

The temptations once one holds power are not different from those we face in everyday life. But they do appear at a very much higher level. The little vices and virtues we all have in our private lives are much more highly tested, and they grow in their significance. Our small vices can become really big ones, and doesn't everybody notice it!

But it's also true that our little private virtues grow into really big ones as well. It's easy to imagine that people get worse when elected to office, and I've certainly seen that. It's much harder to think that people may actually become better when elected, but it does happen. I can think of examples in any political party you care to name.

I think we will all understand candidates for office if we realize this truth.

On a somewhat different question, I might add that, to my observation, we tend to elect people who reflect ourselves. On the grounds of integrity and intelligence, I've often reflected that we would get much the same result if we chose our office-holders by random selection.

That applies especially where cynicism is concerned. I may say that it has often been difficult to carry a point where there really is a moral point at issue precisely because the assessment of a lot of politicians is that it doesn't matter to voters. Unhappily, they are often proved right.

Trust me, cynical voters create cynical politicians.

I would, however, have one criticism of your editorial. The difference between campaign promises and subsequent performance is hardly a new thing: it is as old as electoral politics itself. Again, we contend with our fallen nature from age unto age.

John Patrick Day
Edmonton

Rip off those labels

What disturbs me is that several times in his article, Austin Mardon, refers to people who suffer schizophrenia as "schizophrenics."

I have known Austin for many years as a fellow member of the Capital Health Advisory Committee on Mental Health. We have fought labeling together.

It is bad because it tends to lump all people who suffer schizophrenia together. That encourages authorities to favour simple solutions. The problem is far more complex than Austin would have you believe.

John Zyp
Edmonton

Letters to the Editor

The WCR welcomes your letters. Please write 300 words or less and tell us your name, address and daytime phone number. All letters are subject to editing.

Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the views of the WCR.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter