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Free Trade Ensuring a Strong Canadian Culture

--- By Dr. Walter Block (Dr. Block is senior economist at the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute.)

It is agreed on all sides that a With this argument in tatters, the policy of free trade with the U.S. will nationalists have a second one to fall be to the economic advantage of back upon. Free Trade may not mean an Canadians. The ability to sell to a actual loss of political sovereignty, but market of 250 million people instead of a it may lead to a loss of the Canadian mere 25 million, the opportunities to soul. And what is the Canadian soul, you enhance the continental division of may well ask? It is to be found - you labor, and to specialize in the things we had better be sitting down when you read do best, while trading with the Americans this - in the unique Canadian spirit or for products which embody their character as expressed by no less than particular excellences, guarantee an the arts community of this country. economic improvement for this country. This, too, is ridiculous. For apart All this is so blatantly obvious that from a few hundred Canadian writers, even the opponents of reduced trade painters, and musicians, etc. in this barriers concede that Canada has to pay a country who make it on their own, without price, a real price, for the status quo. subsidies from government, there are no artists in this country. The several But the Canadian nationalists have an thousands of people who line up at the arrow in their quiver which is even more Canada Council, Canadian Film Board, CBC powerful than a fine calculation of and numerous other public troughs for dollars and cents advantages and grants are only welfare recipients whose disadvantages. They claim that closer "salaries" are a means of disguising the commercial ties would put at risk our true reality. No doubt, some of these cherished political sovereignty. It is people could prosper in a free as if along with the cheap goods and marketplace, but we'll never know for services which will come flooding into sure until the welter of government arts Canada, there would be hidden platoons of grants is ended. U.S. soldiers, ready to pounce upon the RCMP and take over the country. Who says that only home grown art can express the culture of a nation? Mozart But when the argument is stated in and Bach, the works of Shakespeare and this nuts and bolts manner, it is easy to Rembrandt were not composed in the true see the nonsense it embodies. Ronald north, strong and free. Reagan does not need free trade to take over Canada militarily. If he wanted to The U.S. is self-assured enough not do so (a ludicrous proposition), he to "protect" itself against foreign surely has the means at his disposal films, books, magazines, orchestras, under the present regime of trade ballet companies, etc. barriers. ( J Canada will never attain any No, the way to save a national soul comparable level of artistic maturity and is to allow our artists to compete with self-confidence if it continues to hide foreigners for the allegiance of the behind a system of subsid'ies for domestic Canadian public. Free trade - full free "artists" and restrictions on the import trade can only hasten the coming of of the products of those living abroad. this glorious day. It is to be applauded on both pocket-book and artistic grounds. SUNDAY SHOPPING AND CHRISTIAN ETHICS

--- By William Frampton (Mr. Frampton is Freedom Party's Regional Chainnan oj Metro Toronto)

The position taken by the major Fridays. Would Christians appreciate churches supporting the Sunday closing living under such restrictions if they laws i s a matter of serious concern f or were in the minority? If not, then they us all. Considered objectively, this "should do unto others as they would have position is difficult to justify on others do unto them". either religious or humanitarian grounds. Christ directed his followers to "Render therefore unto Caesar those things that are Caesar's and to God those things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21). Christians must not allow Caesar If retailers close on Sunday only because to rule the sabbath. the law compels them to, it is clear that they are rendering obedience only to the state (Caesar) and not necessarily to God. This is obviously contrary to The fourth Commandment, "Remember the Christ's teaching. Christians must not s a bbath day, to keep it holy, " is very allow Caesar to rule the sabbath. s pecific . Each of us is directed individually to observe the sabbath. Incredibly, some clerics have even However, this does not give us any aitempted to justi~y Sunday closing laws spiritual authority to compel others to on the grounds that "Our governments observe it. That is something only they exist to serve the wishes of their can decide . constituents." This line of reasoning is false and dangerous. Who were Pontius The eighth and tenth Commandments Pilate's "constituents"? What were their ( "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou shalt wishes in 33 AD? not covet thy neighbors' goods") implicitly support the institution of But what about the Christian private property. Sunday closing laws "tradition" of having the sabbath as a violate fundamental principles of private common day of rest? property rights. Certain retailers are being told that, every Sunday, they will It is not entirely correct to say not be permitted to exercise their right that Sundays have "traditionally" been a to the peaceful use of their own common rest day. This has been a property. Consequently, if one is true convenience enjoyed only by some segments to these Commandments one cannot support of the retail industry. Employees of such legislation. theatres, restaurants, gas stations, gardening centres, etc. are examples of The coming of Christ foretold "Peace those who have different traditions. on earth and goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:14). If we attempt to use the law to No one would be forced to open if the impose our values and choices upon others present law was repealed. The fact that we are not observing a common pause day someone's competition is open does not in the Christian sense. Many Muslim force him to open as well. Those countries impose the same restrictions on retailers who don't want the law changed • • are unwilling to meet the demands of special privileges to favoured groups--­ their customers. They recognize that even Christians. If the church is to this decision has a cost, but they want fulfill its role as an agency of good, it to make their neighbors and competitors should not behave like just another share that cost. Stores that lose money special interest group. Such an image on Sunday openings will simply stay will alienate the public and thus impede closed. the church's outreach efforts. The church should lead by example and moral suasion, not through legal coercion.

The Charter of Rights states that ... true obedience to God is only seen freedom of religion is a "fundamental when it is offered voluntarily. freedom." The Retail Business Holidays Act flagrantly violates this freedom and discriminates against anyone Christian or non-Christian who does No doubt there are many families not worship on Sunday. Once each week, (Christian and non-Christian alike) who the law treats people like criminals for prefer to spend Sunday as a day of rest. earning an honest living. This is a However, there are also families who like terrible injustice, but in December 1986 to shop together and families who like to the Supreme Court ruled that this work together. There are also families violation is "reasonable and who depend on the income they earn on justifiable. " Sundays. Families, like individuals, have different needs, preferences, and This means that freedom of religion lifestyles. Freedom of choice is not an absolute right in Canada, but accommodates everyone, and true can be taken away fr om us whenever some "obedience" to God is only realized when politician can invent a justification for it is offered voluntarily. doing so. Any law that violates freedom of religion should be condemned in the Governments should exist to protect strongest possible terms from every the natural rights of all, not to grant pulpit in the country.

Films for the Rational Filmgoer.

--- By Marc Emery (Mr. Emery is Action Director of th e Freedom Party of OlltariO)

There are many entertaining films around, but very few films have ever been made that feature reason, individual freedom, capitalism, and the importance of the rational individual as central themes.

Here is a review of a number of films that place reason and personal integrity in conflict with the forces of irrationality, evil philosophies, long odds, or a benign, but suffocating, collectivist apparatus.

Films not included are ones that have some characters or situations that represent major moral conflicts (ie. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Casablanca, Star Wars) but the film as a whole does not represent a philosophical struggle or does not do so in a consistent way. ("Feel the power of the force, Luke", while entertaining, is, let's face it, a call to mysticism, within a story of good/freedom vs. evil/oppression).

The reviewed films articulate the conflicts of reason vs. irrationality, integrity vs. corruption, right vs. wrong and are entertaining, well-told stories.

So mallY mell, so mallY opiliiollS: ew:ry olle his OlVll way. --- -: erellce, ca. 190 - j 59 B. C. prosecuting a man accused of murdering a Films of Individual Integrity priest. The D.A., played by Dana Andrews, discovers, through a meticulous investigation of the facts , that the accused is innocent, and that the The Man In The White Suit (1951) murderer is still loose. Revealing this Directed by Alexander MacKendrick, information to the Mayor, Chief of Police Starring Alec Guiness and Joan Greenwood and other officials, he is instructed to ignore his own findings and set up a convincing prosecution of the innocent man, an itinerant no one will miss. Alec Guiness plays an inventor who develops the ultimate textile fibre; he Andrews' job as D.A. and future can make clothes that are indestructible standing with the city's elite hangs in at a reasonable cost. Concerned only the balance. His investigation reveal s a with producing the perfect product and web of conspiracy between the city ' s having it distributed worldwide, Guiness elected officials to suppress the truth. is entirely oblivious to the politics It seems the priest had heard many a generated by his discovery. confession, and that many are only too relieved to see the priest dead. Predictably, the labour unions want his invention suppressed, .at the prospect The pivotal scene in Boomerang occurs of seeing their jobs threatened (while when Andrews faces the decision of they decry exploitation!) by a product whether or not to pursue the truth that never needs replacing. They become despite the rancour, upheaval, scandal, so emotional they hunt Guiness down, and recriminations these revelations will perhaps to do him in. bring to both him and other elected officials. But unions are not his only problem. Guiness refuses to deal with the Dana Andrews does a marvelous job of factory's owners as well, recognizing projecting a logical mind, moral that they too want his invention integrity and tenacity in a heroic suppressed. The fraternity of in~~strial character. Based on a true story, this giants conspire to suppress his mystery drama packs a wallop. invention.

Ultimately, Guiness is locked up while both "labour" and "business" Hud (1963) interests decide what they want done with Directed by Martin Ritt, him. Meanwhile, Guiness's girl-friend Starring Paul Newman, Patricia Neal, tests his resolve, and assured he is Melvyn Douglas sticking to principle, helps him escape. The final resolution I'll leave for you to see. At first, this film seems to have Amidst this telling satire is some little to do with philosophy or personal outstanding comedy, mostly about integrity. Paul Newman, the son of a hypocrisy and double standards. ranch owner (Melvyn Douglas) shows himself to be a sleazy, opportunistic, The film is simply outstanding and immoral and fundamentally rotten guy, and top-notch in every way. his idolizing younger brother is slowly seduced into Newman's tainted and unprincipled world. Boomerang (1947) Directed by Elia Kazan, The stark contrast is provided by Starring Dana Andrews Newman's father, an uncomprom1s1ng,I •• man of high integrity, racked with rueful remorse over his degenerate son's failure Boomerang is a documentary-style to follow an honest and principled life­ drama about a district attorney's task of style. Whell it comes to politics, SCc!l1lillg is I ,'iCI: 'g. --- J\uiJcn M!'tz The scene where the ranch is ravaged his rectitude, and his Quake r wife urges by the cattle having hoof and mout h dis­ him to flee the conflict. ease (brought on by Newman knowingly buying inferior, chea~ . cattle), and Unlike later we s t e rns o f t h e Eastwood Newman then s cheming to sell the c a t t l e variety, ma ch i smo does not f a c tor into before the disease becomes obvious, is Cooper's charac t er, it i s simply the outstanding. Douglas, appalled by the principle of right and wrong on which his disease of his livestock, presents a d ecision is based. tremendous paragon of virtue by clearly stating how rotten Newman is and why a Friendless and alone , Cooper sta ys t o principled man with "nothing " is worth fac e the four outlaws who come for him far more than a dishonest man with afte r the n oon t r ain arrives, but hi s "everything" . real contempt is reserved f or the town s­ people who lack the courage to ba ck t h e i r The contrast between the moral principles. personalities of Douglas and Newman i s what this film is all about . Douglas i s This is an outs tanding drama with a outstanding in a subtle way. He exudes great many visual touch es a nd n uanc es moral integrity in every wo rd, every that show Cooper's plight , a nd his look. Newman is tremendous a s a modern­ humility in a c cepting t h e i nevitabl e day rogue son, c aring only abou t how he battle that only he is willing to endure. can 'beat the other guy'. Cooper r e ally makes you fee l for hi s character, and the sto r y e f fec t i vely evokes disgus t towa rd s t h e gutless High Noon (1951) t ownspeople. Directed by Fred Zinnenmann Starring Gary Cooper ' (Clint Eastwood d irec t ed and starred in an effec t ive remake of High No on in 197 3 called High Plains Drif ter, but it is morally ambiguous in comparison with Gary Cooper's wooden acting style High Noon). made me cringe in The Fountainhead, where a young , . vital, demonstrative lead was required (a la Gregory Peck , Klrk Douglas), but in High Noon, he wa s perfectly cast . Absence of Malice (1981) Directed by Sidney Pollack, Cooper plays the sheriff of a small Starring Paul Newman, Sally Field western town in the 1880's whose tenure in the job is drawing to a c lose . He has just married a Quaker woman, and today is This film is the story o f the the last day he is Sheriff . At noon, hi s pacifist's revenge. A wrongly libe lled job is over. businessman, Paul Newman, wre aks c l ever vengeance on the town mayor, a spec ial But the sheriff finds out that a prosecutor, and a newspaper reporter, murderer has been released from the state who, claiming that he is in the mob and prison after 8 years (a man Cooper sent responsible for a murder, have s e riously there) and is arriving on the noon train impugned his reputation and have driven a seeking vengeance on the town and female friend to suicide. sheriff. In this modern setting, Newman uses Incredibly, the townspeople all cool logic and reason to expose the vacillate, fidget, and basically abandon careers of those who are ruining his life him in his hour of need, despite his and livelihood. Carefully exploiting the serving them faithfully for years. weakness of his enemies, he creates a situation whereby his opponents are all All the males in this town but Cooper ruined by their own excesses. are variously cowardly, jealous, envious, traitorous, and/or hypocritical. Even It is particularly satisfying to Cooper's own deputy sheriff hates him for witness Newman single-handedly bring his opponents to justice. Politics, D 1iIJ itioll: A futures markd in slo/CII property. --AIIOII. Reason Vs. Irrationality The interesting premise of this film is that the "detective", played by Sean Connery, is an Aristotelian monk.

Twelve Angry Men (1957) Connery is logical and rational, and Directed by Sidney Lumet, attributes these characteristics to his Starring Henry Fonda, E.G. Marshall, schooling in the works of Aristotle. (It Ed Begley, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, must be noted that monks were the Jack Klugman educated elite of the 15th century society, before the advent of the printing press, and would likely be the only individuals lucky enough to get an For a few seconds, we hear a judge's opportunity to read Aristotle.) distant voice recite murder charges against a frightened, strangely ugly, Using logic to track down the cause Hispanic boy (about 18 years old) from of a series of murders in an Abbey, the New York slums, as a 12-man jury is Connery discovers that the reason monks led away to deliberate. are being murdered is because they are reading a forbidden book from the secret This entire movie takes place in a library. jury room, on a sweltering, humid summer day. It is immediately obvious that all The book ,the 2nd Poetics of members of the jury (except one, an Aristotle, a lost work, apparently makes architect played by Henry Fonda) are fun of God. According to the movie's ready to convict. villian it questions the existence of God, mocks Him, and "encourages men to Fonda uses logic, reason, facts, and laugh at Him". reality to convince fellow jurors that reasonable doubt exists not to convict, There are very few villains who will while other jurors rely on prejudice, gut murder men for reading philosophy, but feelings, and evasions of reality. modern parallels can be drawn. The movie Slowly, one by one, Fonda's undeniable makes clear where it's sympathies lie statement of facts sink in on each juror. from Connery's character and the fact the mystical villain will kill to prevent men All twelve jurors are brilliantly from reading Aristotle. played, and Fonda is the ultimate rational man in this film, his best role The movie is steeped in style and is ever. no action picture, but how many films offer a tribute to Aristotelian logic to While Fonda's character may use the degree that the villain will murder rational, cool-headed, logic, to crush men to prevent them from reading it? the futile assertions of his fellow jurors, it is his character's love for humanity and justice that wins over the Objectivist Drama As It Should Be Done audience.

An ethical and cinematic tour-de­ force. Humoresque (1946) Directed by Jean Negulesco, Starring John Garfield, Oscar Levant, Joan Crawford Name of the Rose (1986) Directed by Jean Jacques-Armand, Starring Sean Connery Humoresque is a drama of a young man (played by John Garfield) aspiring to be the world's greatest classical violinist, Not a classic, but a good film, the never compromising in order to be the Name of the Rose is a murder mystery set best, and to show the world he is the in the 15th century. best.

If the govemment el'er taxes braills, a lot f its are goillg to be ill for a reflllld. --- . 111011 . Throughout the seriou s story-line is An ou tstanding score is provided by hilar i ous c omic relief provided by the I saac Stern . The philosophy and t r uthful ins i ght s of Garfie ld' s piano . c onflic ts are clear-cut . The playi ng friend a nd a ccompanist, Oscar per forma n ces are f i rst-rate and the Le van t . Tragedy is p rovi d ed in the dialogue is crisp and intellige nt. It i s f l awe d c harac t er of Garfi e ld' s pa tron a n d a cinema tic exper ience . (Sc r e enplay by worshi pper Joan Crawf o r d , who c annot Cliffo rd Od ets. ) con trol him or make him l ove her.

Limits Mean Poor Service

--- By Lloyd Walker (Mr. Walker is Vice President of th e Freedom Party of Onlario)

Ma ny municipal l eaders in Ontario doing so. The limited supply of l i mi t t h e numbe r o f t axi s permitted to licenses, and resulting high price, operate with i n their boun da ries. Thi s denies many peopl e a means of earning a pol icy does the community at large a livin g. great disservice . Who t hen wa n t s this limit e d supply o f There are sever a l l o sers whe n t a x i s? Po liticians and those who h o l d polit i cs t a ke s control. licens es seem to be the only ones int ere s t ed i n maintaini ng t h e status quo . Those who use the taxi service s u ffer Politicians will, as a r esu lt, continue as a result of limited choices, a lack o f to make decisions controlling this competition, monopol y style pricing, and segment of c itizens ' lives. Licence a lack of v a r i ety in services. A greater holders seek to preserve their hold on an s u pp l y of taxis i n a community would mean under-supplie d, and therefo r e luc r ative, t hat the c ompa n i es and/or drivers would market . have t o compete fo r customers , resul t i n g in better service. There i s n o · positive rea son for keeping government controlled limits on Another victim is the entrepreneur . taxis . The oppo s i t i on complains that Drivers who wish to work for themselves t here i s potenti al for oversupply , r a ther than for a c ab c ompany or people c ausing some driver s o r compan ies to wi s hing to earn a living by offering a s u ffer a l oss i n income as a result of service to the public are prevented from competition . In any fre e market there i s a lways a possibi lity of oversupply, but HERMAN/by Jim Unger i s that a probl em?

If a new a utomot i v e plant wanted to set up in your community, fo r example, s hould politicians listen if a v ested interest (another automoti v e plant) in the area pro t e s ted? Should the r e be no new restaurants because a n ew entry i n to that market may take bus ine s s from existing restaurants ? Should there be a ban on new political parti es s o that existing parties have a better chance of getting votes? Obviously, the answer to all those questions is no.

In all cases, competition brings the best to the consumer and the consumer in turn rewards those who provide the best product or service. If someone "I'm so bad, I get a government manufactures poor-quality products in grant not to paint anything." industry, or poor-tasting food in the bulb banned to preserve the candle restaurant business, or voices poor ideas industry. Limiting competition means in the political market-place, it is only nothing less than limiting our standard they who will suffer if competition is of living and that is something our allowed. Those who supply the best will politicians should never do. There eventually be recognized and rewarded by should be no limit on taxi licenses. consumers and the taxi industry is no Anyone willing to work hard to provide exception to this rule. your community with better services should not be prevented from doing so by The arguments for limiting our politicians, they should be welcomed competition are the same self-serving with open arms. Wouldn't that be a arguments that would have had the light pleasant change?

eaOAl PAY FOR WORK Of EQVAL VALUE ••. .-­- CL.eRK TYPIST --- WIDGIT MAKER - MANURE S~ER

Russian Saying

Nobody is unemployed, but nobody works. Nobody works but everybody is paid. Everybody is paid but there is nothing to buy. There is nothing to buy but nobody lacks for what he needs. Nobody lacks for what he needs, but everybody complains. Everybody complains, but when it comes time to vote everybody votes yes.

Conse~t: No.4, June - Aug. 1988 J is published by the Freedom Party of Ontario, a fully-registered Ontario politica! party. Contributions are tax-creditable. Subscription Rate: $25 for six issues. Managing Editor: Robert Vaughan. Consen\: 'welcomes unsolicited manuscripts, submissions, and comments. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2214, Stn. 'A', London, Ontario, N6A 4E3. Phone: (519) 433-8612. Freedom Party of Ontario Statement of Principle: Freedom Party is founded on the principle that: Every individual, in the peaceful pursuit of personal fulfillment, has an absolute right to his or her own life, liberty, and property. Platform: Freedom Party believes that the purpose of government is to protect the individual's freedom of choice, not to restrict it.