"...there are those who would have us try what has already failed; who would defend the status quo. They argue that our health care system is fine the way it is and that a clean energy economy can wait. They say we are trying to do too much, that we are moving too quickly, and that we all ought to just take a deep breath and scale back our goals."
...These naysayers have short memories. They forget that we, as a people, did not get here by standing pat in a time of change. We did not get here by doing what was easy.
These are a couple of passages from Obama's Fourth of July address. As I read his powerful rebuke to the "naysayers" I was reminded of the rank cowardice that has permeated Canada's political leadership - a gaggle of naysayers each trying to outshout the others in saying "not now, we can't, we musn't, let's maintain the status quo, we need to 'just take a deep breath and scale back our goals.'"
They say there is no noise in a vacuum. Perhaps that explains the eerie silence surrounding the vision of our leaders. They all deserve the sack, the lot of them.
Unfortunately, there is no Obama on the horizon for Canada right now. No one to inspire us and motivate us to undertake the change we want and need. So, we must vote for the best of the lot, and wait our turn. Maybe all we can hope for right now is to get rid of Harper.
ReplyDeleteSorry LMA but I can't agree with you. I've tried to discuss truly critical problems facing Canadians and our country that need to be addressed - urgently. If I had any reason to believe that settling for the best of a bad lot would lead to a better lot next time round I might buy your point. I don't, it won't.
ReplyDeleteThere's a minimum standard of leadership vital to the future of Canada and it's needed right now. The best of a hopelessly inadequate lot is still inadequate. If we were safely back in the 70's or 80's, then sure I could go along with your view. Unfortunately we're so far past that I simply cannot agree.
Good grief, LMA, these guys can't even acknowledge what's really happening and the urgency of the problems (global warming AND all the others). Their response is going to directly shape what lies in store for our kids and grandchildren and it's woefully inadequate.
Well, we are in a pickle, aren't we? On the one hand we have Harper praying for a majority so he can privatize everything and cut funding for social programs which make this country great, and, on the other hand, we have Ignatieff saying today that "the beating heart of the Canadian economy, the beating heart of the future of our country, is in Alberta". One leader is trying to divide and destroy the country, and the other one is twisting himself into a pretzel trying to appeal to everybody.
ReplyDeleteI just think that once Harper's oppressive government is gone, new ideas and approaches to the many problems we face will have a better chance to emerge. Right now, our growth is stifled.
Let's hope you're right.
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