A few days ago I posted a letter by Star reader Cathy Allen in which she discussed what it would take for her to regain her pride as a Canadian. It was outstanding, and if you haven't read it, click on the link before proceeding.
In yesterday's Star, Randy Gostling of Oshawa offered some of his own thoughts on the subject, contrasting Canada's past leadership with its current incarnation:
Re: What it will take to restore my pride, March 17
On behalf of what I would expect to be thousands of like-minded war babies, I want to sincerely thank Cathy Allen for so eloquently presenting the concerns of “we the forgotten” in the lead letter of March 17.
It’s equally nice to be reminded that much of what is right in this nation today began with Pierre Trudeau and “we the young” who believed in him. But as Ms. Allen suggests, our faith is gone.
I honestly believe Pierre Trudeau’s motivation was essentially a commitment he made to himself to do something special with his life. His son talks as if he has a similar commitment, but instead sings it like a tune while doing the beggar’s waltz for the “bigs” and next to nothing for or about indigenous grievances, refugees escaping the U.S., the environment, unemployed youth, election reform, Bill C-51 vs. constitutional rights, a corrupt Senate, child poverty, housing, child care for single moms or the CRA’s reluctance to enforce laws against or even expose or punish wealthy and corrupt citizens, corporations and banks.
Pierre created Petro-Canada to resist Big Oil, while Justin approves pipelines and further development and transportation (through pristine areas) for some of the dirtiest, most destructive oil on Earth, even as the world is running out of clean air and water. Pierre delivered on promises while Justin chose to simply make them long enough to get elected.
Cathy Allen speaks for many in saying we are disappointed. We miss who and what we were and what our nation used to be. It’s still held in esteem by the world — but it seems because the world has gotten worse, not because we got better.
Like Allen says, at least we’re not American. But that’s not nearly good enough for us or Pierre.
PET's Charter of Rights and Freedoms has protected Canadian democracy from government excess and adventurism repeatedly, especially over the past decade. It has thwarted Harper and Trudeau Jr. alike. As Gostling notes, JT has used all the lofty language but repeatedly and consistently chosen to resile from his solemn commitments. Devout Liberals might disagree but this prime minister has sullied one of the great names in Canadian political history.
ReplyDeleteEven though I was always wary of young Justin in the run-up to the election, I did vote for him as a way to get rid of Harper. Initially, I was swept up with his lofty post-election rhetoric, but as Claudius says in Hamlet, "Words without thoughts [or in this instance, deeds] never to heaven go."
DeleteWell, you aren't from Québec. We certainly remember some positives from Trudeau père, especially his progressive attitude towards the rights of gay people, but also the War Measures Act and the military occupation of Québec. And no, it wasn't needed to haul in the FLQ cells, hardly terrorist masterminds. Normal police action caught the culprits. Trudeau wanted to clamp down on his political opponents, who had nothing to do with the kidnappings. I know people (now either dead or very old) who were jailed back then.
ReplyDeleteWhy on earth did you vote for the Liberals instead of the NDP? Note, I am NOT a fan of Thomas Mulcair, but the class nature of the two parties is very different.
A good point, lagatta. As for why I didn't vote for Mulcair, I guess the latest polls as we approached the election, if memory serves me, suggested that the Liberals had the best chance of beating Harper, who I despised with a passion.
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