Letter to the Editor - Owen Sound Sun Times

Editor:

So John Tory has made his second huge mistake.

His first one was not in choosing public support of faith-based schools for his electoral platform. No. His first mistake was in choosing what was promoted as a "less contentious issue."

How can a wanna-be-leader expect to succeed when he chooses second rate issues?

It's like setting your sight on becoming the Opposition. Ah! There's the irony.

Tory's second huge error was not in apologizing for the blunder. No. It was his avoidance of accepting full responsibility - "I took bad advice" - which not only points the finger at someone else, it also renews the hard feelings between those who pushed the advice and those who strongly objected to it.

The pain of losing the election because of the blunder will not be slight. Total acceptance of the blunder by Tory was an absolute necessity.

Now John Tory is likely to make a third huge mistake: Having opened the can of worms, he seems intent on ignoring the problem of publicly funded religious schools, ie Roman Catholic, hoping perhaps that it will go away.

In spite of strong public opposition from the electorate to such funding and from the shouts of hypocricy from those countries we have criticized for their state funding of religious schools, he will choose to ignore the issue as being "too contentious."

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty was willing to stick his political neck out when, after promising not to raise taxes, promptly did so and with success. The $5 billion deficit he inherited from the Tories has melted into a possible $750 million surplus this year.

He has also spoken out strongly against colour-based schools and, instead of being confrontational using legal action, has wisely suggested that the curriculum be more Afrocentric.

Separate schools could be next on his agenda.

While Tory may be a great fundraiser, it is doubtful he and his supporters are up to the challenges resulting from the opened can of worms. Unfortunately, as one long-time area organizer reportedly said, "How can you say no to him (John Tory) when you don't have an obvious alternative standing there waving the flag?"

Foreboding at best.

Cliff Tremills Owen Sound