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No support for selfish lobby

We withdrew support from the Freedom Party for as long as you continued a personally motivated, selfish lobby for Sunday shopping. Perhaps you think you have won that one; however, that effort would benefit a few and destroy rights for which employees have worked for thousands of years, the common pause. Having seen what 24-hour, 7-days-a-week open-for- business did and continues to do to family life in California, it is "progress" we can all do without.

Be that as it may, now that you are addressing the issues that affect everyone in the country -- particularly confiscatory taxation and forced bilingualism --- we will support that effort. Your nitpicking on APEC's stand prevents a larger donation: successful political action depends on alignment of like forces, not regimentation of every part of the force. If you examine the facts, causing splits between groups with a similar interest has been one way that our Fascist governments have managed to use to get their current power base. (If you don't agree that we have a form of fascist government, look up a good political science definition again.)

Thank you for the copy of The Case Against Official Bilingualism in Canada. I should like permission to quote from it --- with credit, of course --- in articles and/or letters to the editor.

One more comment on the present political situation: I reread George Orwell's Animal Farm last week and was struck by the similarity to Canada's political condition, especially with regard to the Meech Lake idea that Quebec and things French be part of a "distinct society". Led by Trudeau, The Farm shook off the shackles of colonialism only to suffer a greater loss of freedom so that now all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. Maybe you can make something of that thought.

Down with taxation.

- March. 1990: Helen and Don Irwin, RUTHVEN. Ontario

EDITOR: We always appreciate learning the reasons why our supporters choose to support us --- and why they choose not to support us; thanks for writing to let us know your reasons on both counts.

To address both your concerns, however, perhaps the following explanation will help clear up a few misconceptions about the specific issues Freedom Party finds itself addressing from time to time: As an officially-registered political party, Freedom Party is a very different entity from most ad hoc lobby groups formed to lobby for or against a particular single issue: we must commit ourselves to many different issues which can often leave us in the uncomfortable position of offending some of our supporters on one issue by promoting another issue with which they may disagree.

As a party of principle which believes that the purpose of government is to protect individual freedom of choice (and to enforce its responsibilities), it's a risk we must be prepared to take or else our credibility will not long stand the test of public scrutiny. For us, every political issue is a freedom of choice issue, be it Sunday shopping, official bilingualism, high taxes, public education, health and welfare, free trade, etc.

In light of this, it is somewhat upsetting to find that you have regarded Freedom Party's campaign for freedom of choice --- in Sunday shopping --- as "a personally motivated, selfish lobby." We certainly cannot account for such an accusation, given that all party literature, public advocacy, and newsletter coverage on Sunday shopping has continually been focussed on the principles at stake behind the issue, the very principles on which our stands against taxation and official bilingualism are based. If you have discovered some inconsistency or contradiction in the manner with which we have approached any particular issue(s), please let us know by citing specific examples and references; we'll be happy to clear up any misunderstandings.

Our comments on APEC were not intended to cause any splits between anyone; they were intended to address an inconsistency in APEC's philosophy and to identify why much of the media has often painted organizations like APEC and COR in a negative light. Unlike APEC, which opposes official bilingualism on the grounds that it is an affront to "a democracy where the will of the majority prevails...", Freedom Party opposes official bilingualism strictly on principle --- the principle that each individual should have the right and freedom to conduct his or her affairs in the language of his or her choice regardless of the will of the majority (as in Quebec, where the majority supports making English an illegal language in certain areas of trade and commerce). We believe that making these differences clear to our supporters and members is a necessary part of our commitment to the principles that motivate us; however, such differences do not prevent us from participating with groups on an ad hoc basis.

Indeed, our participation with APEC and COR members at the public protest against the hiring policy of the Liquor Board of Ontario (see coverage, last issue) is a demonstration that Freedom Party has aligned itself with "like forces". In fact, we have on more than one occasion approached APEC representatives in various Ontario communities only to be met with indifference at best, and open hostility towards "political parties" at worst. Even though they may agree with us on official bilingualism, many APEC supporters, like yourself, may have found themselves uncomfortable with other issues supported by Freedom Party.

For the interests of all concerned, we should make it clear that, as Freedom Party members and/or supporters, our contributors have every right to direct their contributions to the issue of their choice --- or away from an issue that is not their choice --- simply by indicating this preference verbally or in writing. Thus, disagreement with any particular issue should not be an obstacle to contributing: your dollars can continue to work for the issue(s) you support. What could be more fair than that?

Thanks for the comment on George Orwell's Animal Farm. Perhaps a few of us will be encouraged to read, or re-read, his clever insight into the workings of the forced collective. Your comments regarding our Case Against Official Bilingualism in Canada are much appreciated; by all means, quote away. If you are writing articles and/or letters to the editor, please pass along a copy to us, if possible. We appreciate learning what our supporters think about the issues.

Originally published: Freedom Flyer 16



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Page last updated on May 1, 2002

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