In response, I find much of what Thomas Walkom writes very good. And of course, many in Canada resent the change in direction which the Free Trade brought and will continue to bring, both good and evil - such as our commitment to continue to supply the US energy should they need it at the price we had been supplying it. However, one error that I feel needs some remarks is: Still, companies in the export sector prospered. The tax revenues from these revived industries, when combined with savings gleaned from Finance Minister Paul Martin's savage cutbacks in social programs, virtually eliminated Ottawa's deficit. The savings gleaned represent only 35% of our deficit reduction, the other 65% have come from the lower of interest rates from their punishingly irrational heights imposed on the Canadian economy by John Crow. If we had to solve our deficit problems completely with cutbacks, I'm afraid we would not have a social program left. If interest rates rise again, the deficit will go up again. The continuing insistence on Free Trade, as he rightly points out, may be our downfall as those Asian economies needing markets may flood our markets with cheap goods while not buying our expensive exports. A large trade deficit could drive us to the wall very quickly. Respectfully, Thomas Lunde
