P Politically Incorrect: You bet we are (and we like it by: Rory N. Conroy Western separation, the lat- est rant from the fringe, seems to garner much more press than is warranted. This rant is reminiscent of a once- common phenomenon called cabin fever; a condition quite familiar to the pioneers who built great country. Perhaps, rather then applying some old fashioned inves- tigative journalism to critical comment, the media simply prefers to rely on hackneyed Specially Priced introducing 29 new songs from singer/sangwriter/ guitarist extraordinaire, Ani DiFranco! Many of these tracks are already audience favourites at Ani’s live shows but there are pienty of surprises as weil, including atmospheric instrumentals and spoken word passages. As always, the songs provide a deeply personal means.for Ani and, by extension, her audiences) to respond ta events in hyperbolic headlines. Headlines catch your atten- tion but do not require any intelligence or effort on the part of writers. Now | am aware that western separation will not find con- sensus here, but the great Canadian pastime of com- plaining reaches its peak at about the same time govern- ment is able to fix the last thing we were complaining about; unfortunately, this at times sets governments to veer off course based upon HMV www.HMV.com the world around her, from racially-divided cities to the politics of famify interactions to what she calls “the culture of quick fix prescription”. Half the songs on each disc of this 2-CD set find Ani flying solo while the other half feature the members of her road-tested live band. Watch for guest appearances by sax man, Maceo Parker and trumpeter, John Hassell. ANI DIFRANCO a Revelling Reckonip ' iy ' ' 4 ' 5 % , 1 PINE CENTRE % 4 ’ t ' , ' ~ om at Sa nk ee ome ove cee me Sam JE Sm eth mm ent a8 nee Ds en ke DL MED ee TA GP SOO Sm eM A EE OH aN ee See 5 OFF sitzes CO speciatly priced at HMV Pine Centre only watit Apsit 12401 or while quantities fast. HMV reserves the right to timit quantities. Coupon redeemable vatit May 10/01 at HMV Pine Centre only. Cee coupon per person per transaction. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. frantic new signals. Alexis de Tocqueville, in his book, Democracy in America (circa 1835) said, “The desire for equality becomes more insatiable in proportion as equality is more complete.” In other words, we demand more and more equality fear- ing that we are losing out to someone or something else; that utopian perception of the next increment of equality is always appealing to our grasping fingers. Federalism (and fiscal feder- alism) is, as it should be, the democratic stage for competing interests; the more dissenting the debate, the healthier is the federalism. And as we all know, politicians like to ratchet-up the rhetoric especially when elections roll 2-ound. In any event the separatist “lobotomy lobby” continues to regurgitate past rhetoric with anti-government and anti-federal sentiment oblivious to the process of executive federalism which is unfolding though the new “social union”; that agree- ment will ensure a more equitable return to the provinces than we have experienced in the last | decade. The principles of the framework state that, “Canada’s social union should reflect [ ] the funda- mental values of Canadians - equality, diver- sity, fairness, individual dignity [ ] mutual aid and our responsibility for one another. Canada was built upon the spirit and obligation of mutual respect and responsibility. Quite frankly it was embarrassing to wit- ness, as we did during the last federal election, so many individuals and groups demanding a larger slice of the economic pie, oblivious to those in need and the greater obligation ee of reducing the burden of debt for future generations. Does it cost to be a citizen of Canada? Yes! Does it hurt? No! By demanding more and more of the centre, do not be surprised when the centre no longer exists. By demanding special identity or more and more privilege, do not be sur- prised when you are no longer part of the Canadian community. By demanding more and more of your com- munity do not be surprised when finally you get less and less. Over 40 years ago, JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for country.” | know that this is much over used and often misquoted, but | believe that it is applicable today in Canada. The United Nations recently placed Canada and its feder- al system at the top of its Human Development Index (HDI); | believe that, that means we are moving in the right direction and should continue to pursue our pre- sent and future goals within the federal framework. If the world looks upon the country in such a favourable light we should embrace those values that make it so! Did you know that in Poland the word for “hope” is “Canada”? We all know that a provincial election is looming on the horizon. Both legally and intellectually, the call must be made before June. While the Premier insists on playing coy, he does admit that he is just a little bit (elec- tion) pregnant. Truthfully, we all recognize that he is show- ing and in fact is in his third trimester; his friends really should tell him about the facts of life. Interesting though, is the opposition leader that is dilat- ed; Gordon Campbell has, quite expansively, promised us an immaculate concep- tion; lower taxes, a growing economy and life ever after! But, wait a minute! No one is talking about the birth of ‘Rosemary’s Baby’, the horrif- ic rising provincial debt that will soon require the jaws of life to extricate from us from a painful delivery. During the recent flurry of excitement over finding a little bundle at the end of the ener- gy rainbow, we have heard nothing about preparing for the next generation by restructuring spending and instituting a balanced budget requirement. The NDP still insist on pursu- ing a “womb to tomb” philoso- phy, by involving government in every facet of our lives. Ina recent talk at UNBC, the pre- mier confirmed that he would no stray from the socialist course; he did however man- age to “skewer” the Liberals on several issues. Which brings me back to my initial musings; the Premier has been in “labor” (no pun intended, or is that a double entendre) since he took office and has managed to score a few points; he is a dashing suitor of undecided voters. This election is not a fait accompli. Our enthusiasm of over receiving election good- ies must be tempered by the fact that this is our own money and because the debt is increasing, a fact not shown in the recent glossy budget flyer, we will pay for it later. Despite what the Premier says, there is no morning after pill and promis- es made on election night are forgotten in the morning light. Get out and vote!