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Canada's hero
As Lee Schatz, one of the six American "house guests," wrote to me on Thursday,"Both key Canadians (Ken Taylor and John Sheardown) and both New Zealanders who helped us are now gone. We are getting old."
He's right; the Canadian Caper is turning into history (Ken Taylor: 1934-2015 – Oct. 16). At the time though, it was as exciting for the whole country as this week's Blue Jays win. I am restoring my movie and documentary so that they, not Argo, remain the legacy for Canada about what happened in Iran. Rest in peace, Ken.
Les Harris, producer, Escape From Iran: The Inside Story and The Canadian Caper; Toronto
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Blue Jays' universe
Throwing beer cans onto the field was a disgrace and letters to the editor have used it as an opportunity to trash Toronto, one claiming that since we think we are the centre of the universe, we should start acting like real Canadians (Fans Strike Out – Oct. 16).
The Blue Jays have become Canada's team and the stadium was filled with people from other parts of the country, too. So perhaps fans from "the outer planets" were also throwing beer cans, not just those from the centre of the universe.
Steve Lico, Toronto
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Three cheers for Geoff Smith's Bautista At The Bat (letters, Oct. 16)! Not only my morning smile, my all-day chuckle!
Ann A. Estill, Guelph, Ont.
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A matter of strategy
Canadians are smart voters. Our approach to proportional representation has often been minority governments. This gets the best out of an otherwise undeserving bunch, and teaches good playground manners.
So-called "strategic voting" is just a way for one party or another to get a majority, which defeats the purpose entirely. Politicians hate minority governments, and that's precisely why I want one.
John Riley, Mono, Ont.
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Critics of plans for strategic voting in this election ignore the fact that we wouldn't need strategic voting if we had a system of proportional representation.
This time, I am voting for the non-Conservative most likely to win my riding. Then it will be time to push for electoral change.
Tuula Talvila, Ottawa
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Five reasons to vote strategically, that is, for someone who isn't the best choice, in order to dump someone worse:
5) It always feels better to vote for a winner;
4) Strategic voting leads to the much easier to understand two-party system. We can become more like the Americans;
3) Pollsters know better than most people who to vote for, so it's always better to let them guide our decisions;
2) Emotional concepts like what's best for Canada are less valid than the calm reasoning needed in selecting leadership. Rob Ford, take note.
1) My vote should not be wasted. Eh?
Here's a thought: Let's all just vote for the best candidate and see what happens.
Jim Erkiletian, Nanaimo, B.C.
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Mr. Harper's party
I have listened to people saying they hate Stephen Harper and he has to go. When I ask what exactly it is that he's done to make them feel this way, they cannot answer the question. This seemingly hateful stance has been fuelled by NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, the media and unions.
I do not necessarily like all the things Mr. Harper has done, but he's given us the lowest taxes in years, and put us on the world stage in terms of our economy and our international standing. He doesn't make huge spending promises during elections just to get votes.
We need to be careful that we are not voting with emotion. Look at what each party is promising. Where are Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Mulcair going to get the money to pay for their huge promises? There is only one answer: us, the taxpayers.
Marg Phillips, Kingston, N.B.
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Here are some reasons why one usually reliably Conservative voter will vote differently this time:
1) The reduced funding of scientific research and the muzzling of government scientists;
2) While extolling the virtues of our military and claiming to honour our veterans, the government reduces funding and closes Veterans Affairs branches.
Meanwhile, we hear repeated stories of veterans forced to struggle with bureaucrats to receive their benefits;
3) Omnibus legislation covering several distinct issues that might not pass if presented separately is disrespectful of Parliament and disturbingly anti-democratic;
4) A balanced-budget fetish: A period of sluggish economic growth and 7.1 per cent unemployment is a very suitable time for stimulus spending on much- needed infrastructure, especially while interest rates are so low.
Canada has done well among the G7 countries; economists tell us we have the debt capacity and flexibility to do this. And still Stephen Harper and Joe Oliver continue to obsess about deficits. They should know better.
Tom Chapman, London, Ont.
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Orange ambitions
Canadians have long been told there were two political parties in this country.
Finally, we have a chance to discover if the NDP, a party that represents average Canadians – the very people who have provided the operating funds for the previous Liberal and Conservative governments – can provide a government that will make different kinds of decisions.
Fewer scandals?
Less corruption?
More social-justice oriented?
No one knows. We've never tried it federally.
What we do know is that Thomas Mulcair did not grow up with the immense privilege Justin Trudeau has always known. We know Mr. Mulcair has a long history of managing people with respect and a sense of inclusiveness. That hasn't been so of the Conservatives lately.
Thelma Fayle, Victoria
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Liberal ambitions
Re Trudeau Takes A Chance With The 'M' Word (Oct. 15): "There remain potential Liberal voters who aren't convinced [Justin Trudeau is] a prime minister, who might pull back at the thought he'd have a four-year majority."
Really? I have never met a voter who says they'll only vote for a candidate who promises to lose. The parsing of every word that passes candidates' lips is producing the ludicrous situation where we have commentary warning that Mr. Trudeau may face a backlash by simply stating he wants to win. How sad. How Canadian.
Paul LeBel, Toronto
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Green ambitions
Maybe it's easier said than done:
"He drew a circle that shut me out –
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle and took him in."
Some people actually do what Edwin Markham wrote in Outwitted, people like Elizabeth May, who tweeted circles around the exclusionary "some leaders only" debates, who will collaborate for progressive policies – be they red, orange, green, blue or BQ.
Norman Abbey, Nanaimo, B.C.