"We may not like what you say but..."

Editoral
by Marco den Ouden
February 1984

The recent foofaraw over Bill C-169, Parliament's attempt to restrict private political advertising during an election campaign, has raised more than a few eyebrows among lovers of liberty. What has really astonished us is that some people even support this blatant attempt at the suppression of the rights of Canadians to actively participate in the political process. Those of us who do not support any of the established political parties and have neither the funds nor the inclination to start a new party or run as candidates ourselves now are effectively without a voice. What recourse do we have to make our views known? "Sweet bugger all!" say our friends Pierre, Ed and Brian.

Amazing too is the support given this bill by certain members of the media, notably Province columnist Bruce McLean and that anonymous soul that writes the Province editorials. Vancouver libertarian activist Robin Gillespie was particularly incensed by the Province's stand and has taken action of his own to protest. He is urging a boycott of the Province until such time as they retract their offensive support of political censorship. His letter to the Province is reprinted elsewhere in this newsletter.

But let us for a moment examine the basic premise and logic behind Parliament's action. Allegedly our good politicians want to protect us from the horrors of a "bought" election. They charge that without this law, well-heeled single-issue groups such as Greenpeace, the Anti-Abortionists, the Pro-Abortionists, the National Citizens' Coalition, the KGB, Operation Wolf or what have you could buy an election. Slip a few timely ads into newspapers and onto the airwaves during election campaigns and the gullible Canadian voter (sheep that he is) will cast his vote for the candidate not of his choice! What utter rubbish!

What this attitude presumes is that the Canadian voter is a member of the species Boobus Ignoramus, subspecies of Sucker Gullibilitus. You the voter cannot think for yourself. You cannot objectively analyse the issues, examine the arguments for and against the candidates and make an informed decision. You will be swayed by media hype and slick advertising.

Presumably then, if the Soviet Union, through a front organization funneled billions of dollars into Canada during an election to urge you to vote for the party of their choice, the Communist Party of Canada, we would wake up on the day after the election with a communist government. Get serious, folks!!! (In all likelihood the Kremlin boys would realize this to be a futile waste of money and would push for the second party of their choice. The Liberals, perhaps!)

In any case, suppose the politicians' contention was true. Voters will be swayed by glossy advertising. Then why should any of the political parties even be allowed to advertise during an election campaign? No one can deny that the ads put out by the Big Three parties is slick and glossy. And if the politicians think the typical Canadian is an ignorant boob, then why, pray tell, should these ignorant boobs even be allowed to vote?

Well, the battle for liberty is being waged on several fronts. Perhaps it's time for the Libertarian Party to enter the fray. Perhaps the Libertarian Party should call a news conference to announce that during the next election campaign the party will sanction any and all private political advertising and permit it to be published with the party's blessing. (Even ads critical of the Libertarian Party.) At the bottom of each ad where the party authorization is stated, we could have the organizations and individuals requesting our authorization print the following: "This is a paid political advertisement authorized by the Libertarian Party of Canada. We might not agree with what this ad says, but we'll defend to the death anyone's right to say it!"