There is much to be t Mark Milke Contributing Columnist THE end of the year is always an apt time to take stock of the past and make a few wishes for the coming year. Given that we are on the verge of a new millennium, here are some things to con- sider and a few other develop- ments to be thankful for as Canadians. On the dollars and cents side, Canadians are much more aware of their own per- sonal finances than they were a generation ago. The percent- age of Canadians who own stocks or mutual funds, either directly through an RRSP or indirectly through a union pension fund, for example, is much higher ‘than 30 years ago. That in turn bodes well for the kinds of governments Canadians can expect in the future, as financial literacy has a way of making voters want more responsible zovern- ments. After all, if vou've gone to the wouble of trying to make sure “your own finances those who will spend asi HOUnt of your pay- That may not be immedi- ately apparent in the closing d of 1999, but the “prog- nosis” is for more responsive governments in the long-term. Politicians will have to adjust to the public’s growing financial literacy or risk being left behind. Speaking of the political side of things, most of Canada’s governments are now in a surplus position and are at least rhetoncally com- mitted to lightening the tax burden on their citizens. That is light years ahead of where the country was in 1994 when government was imperiling government finances and where “tax cuts” were only something that hap- pened in other countries. Canadians can also be grateful that we have the opportunity to join political Parties, unions, advocacy groups, and any number of organizations and institutions that contibute not only to keeping governments account- able, but more importantly, add to the fabric of a civil soci- ety. It is casy to take for grant- ed such benefits as che night to vote, association, regular elec- tions, and freedom from war. That we should not do. Sure, anyone could easily point to any number of things stil amiss in Canada, but hankful Canada should be compared not to utopia but to the alter- natives. By that measure, we as Canadians are very foriunate indeed. And, as much as it might surprise the politicians to read it, their service is worth a sin- cere acknowledgment both Hom those of us who occa: sionally lack horns with politi- cians directly, and from the average Canadian citizen. Whether you wholeheart- edly agree or passionately dis- agree with your Member of Parliament or MLA, write a letter or phone your represen- tative and let them know you appreciate their servic (Prepare for a stunned silence however.) Czech president Vaclav Havel once wrote chat it was wrong for citizens to conclude that ét is “improper to devote oneseif to politics — because politics is, in principle, immoral.” He argued instead that politics is instead a job for maiibox Friday, December 31, 1999 ~ North Shore News - 7 for in Ganada would be once again seen as a noble calling. But tor the moment, it is worth raising a wlass to the Canada that is in . admitted that he did not know 1999, whether he was such a person, only that he ought te be. There are other days and weeks for Canadians to be vig- ilant, to rake up not only one’s democratic rights but one’s responsibilities and work fora better Canada, where politics MORTGAGES WHEN THE BANKS SAY “NO” There is much to celebrate. — Mark Milke is the British Columbia Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Fe eration . Lana Mercer is on holiday. 687-2020 PUD Hiuancial Services Ld. VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.instafund.com fender Broker fees may apply Kick cigarettes in 2000 | Digits do matter |= 122” : Everyone ‘knows that cigarette - smoking is an‘ anti-social and filthy habit. Everyone knows that smok- ing is injurious to health, — to the ~ smeker and to those who are forced to inhale second-hand smoke. ' "For decades the tobacco compa- nies, have been ushing sales of : their killer products, and have - added ingredients to addict people - to Cigarette use =-- especially the youth of our country. ; Wouldn’c it be great if all smok- ers were able to kick the habit on : eect and kill the immoral and gre business of cigarette “= manufacture instead of submitting their bodies to a slow, costly, and often painful death? The health-care system as we know it is in dire need financially. The less care required for illnesses related directly to smoking, the better off the heath-care system would be. The Worker’s Compensation Board has recognized the risk to employees who work in atmos- pheres of second-hand smoke, and it will be illegal to smoke in a public forum as of Jan. 1, 2000. Rather than fight the edict, let’s go further and quit altogether. We'll be glad that we did. David Jones . North Vancouver Dear Editor: On Dee. 31, 1998, we all celebrated the upcom- ing new year 1999. This Dec. 31, we are celebrating the upcoming new year 2000. But this year we are also celebrating the next one thousand years. Why does the new millennium start in 2000? Because this is the year the 1,000ths place digit changed. Just because Dionysus Exiguous did not put Year Zero between AD 1 and 1 BC because Europeans did not realize the significance of zero until they Icarned ftom the Arabs during the 8th cen- tury, one millennium will always be short one year. Why not place the shortage in the millenniurn where the mistake occurred? If your child were born on Jan. 1, 2000, would you keep it quiet until it has reached its first birthday on Jan. 1, 2001? [ think not. 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