A POLITICAL career could be best described as a self- inflicted wound, but it is not an easy life. Some of the more sanctimonious of our elected representatives will tell you that they entered politics for altruistic reasons: the service of mankind. The great ivel of politics is ego. Prominence is a heady business and the satisfaction of changing society is difficult to describe. Many enter the game out of anger — a rage engendered by some con- troversy. Few run for office for the money and the perks, but it’s sur- prising how many end up making more money than they ever did in any other line of work. If you can find anyone in public life who started because of over- whelming charity and dedication, you are likely referring to a first class moron or a mentally unbal- anced crook. That being said, on this New Year’s weekend, I salute all my friends in public life for the resil- ience they possess to endure frustration, disappointment, unbelievably long hours, ridiculous super-human demands of the elec- torate and standards of deport- ment impossible to achieve. We are ever so tolerant of our own inadequacies, yet we invest our vote as if it is the Nobel Prize. The recipient must have the pa- tience of Ghandi, the wisdom of Lao-Tzu, the genius of Marconi and the stamina of decathlete Daley Thompsow. ae As a young man, I was convinc- ed that destiny would one day land me in politics. Writing was an in- terest of mine from the earliest days on school and university newspapers, but the first job as a reporter was sought merely as a way to earn an income while re- maining close to politics. Yet as the journalism career blossomed, and scores of politi- cians became personal friends, the attraction began to fade. The discovery was made that issues could be influenced through media positions more dramatically than in elected office. I was able to en- joy all the benefits with none of the hardships. Highly motivated newcomers soon learn that government is a quagmire of bureaucratic suffoca- tion, political nervousness and consummate cowardice. Reformers usually self-immolate. Opinion polls and media are more impor- tant than doing what is right. The public demands honesty from politicians, but those who honestly state what they believe are soon greeted with hostility: ‘‘trying to inflict their personal biases on - government.”’ A politician who accommodates with diplomacy, is accused of “‘fence-sitting’’ or of ao ° . . . » _ The exp GARY ANNERMAN being ‘‘wishy washy.’’ Most of the late nights required by politicians are not mandatory. There is no law requiring sitting in the legislature until midnight, let alone attending some insufferable constituency banquet. It is in these areas that legitimate dedication tends to surface. Some politicians go to many meetings and some go to very few. When invitations are declined, however, there is always the nagg- ing worry of political conse- quences; of offending one group of voters or another. kee In addition to this general good wish to all politicians, a few special wishes are in order. To my friend of almost 20 years, Bill Vander Zalm, you owe your party nothing. What good things it has given have been balanced by equal offerings of unforgivable abuse. You are ii moral debit to a few friends and cabinet ministers, but not many. Suggest the rest take a long walk off a short pier: their naked personal ambition makes them appear like a pack of panting dogs. May John Turner enjoy in polit- ical retirement the respect, cama- raderie and peace of mind that has been absent during his leadership days. This gentleman of the old school has emerged from a rocky roadway with dignity intact. Perhaps in 1990, the downtown truly .... Vancouver press may notice that Abbotsford Mayor George Ferguson is president of the Fed- eration of Canadian Municipalities, representing every city, town and village in the coun- try. Sooner or later, the downtown myopia will awaken to the stunn- ing economic growth occurring from Coquitlam and Surrey through to Chilliwack. We hope Alberta Premier Don Getty has a better 1990 than 1989, It must have been agony to sit at a Premier’s conference the week his son went to jail. A personal wish for 1990 is that Grace McCarthy can resume her position as one of the truly great people who have ever served in public office in this province. She is now portrayed in a negative con- text, as a schemer plotting daily discomfort for the Premier. They are both suffering. Disappointment landed squarely on the desk of North Vancouver MLA Angus Ree during the latter part of 1989. He had done a low- key but competent job as the pro- vince’s first Solicitor General. The numbers game and other political priorities were the villains. May 1990 see a restitution of political fortune. In a democracy, all of us become politicians. {t is most ap- propriate, therefore, to wish satisfaction and good fortune to you all in your British Columbia public-spirited careers @ |AVE YOU MADE YOUR NEW YEAR’ * RESOLUTION? .... WE HAVE! . In response to your requests for longer service hours, we are pleased to announce that our Parts and Service will be available as follows: MONDAY TO THURSDAY Sam toe Spm FRIDAY AND SATURDAY Sam to Gpm STARTING JANUARY 2, 1990 __ We have expanded our service hours by 60% and our parts inventory by 30% to help us make sure that your = 7 Easy to Buy .... 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