So, again it has been a while. I don’t want to say that there has been nothing about which to write, but I don’t write to say something; I write because of something to say.
I am sure most people know that in Canada we are coming up on an election in October. And perhaps people are as confused as I am of the platforms of the 3 major political parties, and how these plans may apply to our everyday lives.
I am the type of person that likes to know what is going on in the world. I will never claim to be an expert. I watch the news everyday, national and international. In this age of the Global Village, what happens over there, affects what happens over here. That doesn’t mean I always know how.
I think my problem with politics is that it is dominated by politicians, who do not necessarily think like a civil servant, although technically, in my opinion, they fall under the same category. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines politician as such:
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a person experience in the art or science of government; especially one actively engaged in conducting the business of government;
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a person engaged in party politics as a profession;
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(often disparaging) a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons. (https//www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politician)
A civil servant is defined as such:
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a member of a civil service;
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a member of the staff of an international agency. (https//www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20servant)
I don’t know if this helps clarify anything for anybody or muddies the water even more. I have the benefit of being raised in a household where the problems of the world were tabled, discussed and solved at the dinner every evening. Unfortunately the politicians were not privy to our dinner table. But as I have gotten older, I am not sure if politicians have ever actually been interested in solving the world problems because with the many intelligent men and women who have held the role of leader of their respective countries, you would think they would be solved by now.
So why are not living in a world of peace, and equality and respect for all? Because, I hate to say it, politicians are not in politics to make the world a better place. As I have observed since those family dinners, those in political office fall into the third definition. It may be to fulfill a family legacy; to boost a fragile ego; or for the fame and fortune. Oh, don’t kid yourself, there is money in politics.
I can provide some examples. Let’s start with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. If you are my age or older, I am sure you have at least heard of his father: Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He was the Prime Minister of Canada when I was born and the Prime Minster until I was 14 years old, except for a short period in 1979-1980. I will not say he was by any means perfect, and did not do many of the same things most all politicians have done. But I do know he stood up to the Press. I suggest you check out a video on YouTube. (Watch me). As Justice Minister, he intoroduced a bill decriminalizing gay acts performed in private. “There is no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.” He has been caught lying, which all politicians do, but he had the guts to challenge the status quo and he did not let himself get pushed around by the Press or anybody else. He brought the Constitution to Canada made sure it included a policy of Multiculturalism. And he even did a pirouette behind the Queen.
I think that many Canadians, including myself, expected this type of intelligence and grit from Mr. Justin Trudeau. It was wrong of us to do so. He is not his father. Then why did he run for political office. In my opinion perhaps it was expected; the Liberal Party counted his name to carry them to victory. It worked. Still, he has done positive things. He has a gender equal Cabinet, he has enshrined in law the protection of transgendered people, and has pledged increase funding to international women’s health. However, there is the whole SNC-Lavalin Affair and his less than stellar fulfillment to his commitment to the Paris Environmental Agreement. All this being said, it is difficult for me to say, and disappointing, but I do believe he is the lesser of the “evils” from which Canadians have to chose in October 2019. That is one of the problem with politics and politicians. It more a choice of who we dislike the least as oppose to who we like the most.
Being Canadian, it is impossible not to be aware of the politics and administration of the United States. I have to say, in no uncertain terms, President Donald Trump scares me. He is a man who has claimed to know more about Isis than the Generals. If it is not true, I am concerned as to why he feels the need to lie about something so integral to National Security. If it is true, how did he obtain it, and why has he not shared it with the “Generals.” He has been accused of sexual harassment, has admitted to such, on tape. He has spent a considerable amount of money on golf trips, during times of crisis. He seems obsessed with being better than President Obama. Has anybody else wondered why? Ego, inferirity complex? Nonetheless, according to some, and of course himself, the American economy is better than it has been in a long time. This may be true, but I believe that Mr. Trump was more interested in winning an election than he is qualified for the responsibilities of President of the United States.
But it is not all the fault of the politicians. We the citizens must be take our share of the blame. First and foremost, let’s get our butts out to vote. I do not understand why elections do not have 100% turn out every time. I have heard it said that it will not make a difference. Well, of course it won’t make a difference if you don’t vote. If everyone came out, politicians will have to change their motives. you have a public voice, use it or lose it.
I was flabbergasted once, while waiting for my turn to cast my ballot, someone complain about the wait time. It was no more 10 minutes and she considered not voting at all. 10 MINUTES, really? In 1994, South Africa had its first truly free election, after the end of the racist and brutal policy of Apartheid. Voters had to wait hours and maybe days in line to vote, and were grateful for the chance to finally influence the destiny of their country. Of course that has not made South Africa a utopia for all, but still a lot better than it was for the Black majority, who spent decades as the persucuted second class. There are so many people on the planet who are prohibited from participating in a free democracy, for a multitude of reasons. If you have the chance, do it.
I believe it my responsibility as a productive member of society to know the issues, all of them, not just the ones that apply to me directly. In fact, social issues rarely occur without affecting many others. I have to be knowledgeable of the politicians and the political parties they represent. I need to know the platforms of the party on the issues and most importantly HOW they intend to improve my country and the world.
