What They Deserve. November 4th 2024.

 Remembrance Day is a week away.  It is almost 80 years since the last world war, but we have exposed our service people to many conflicts since then.   There was that Korean War to which we referred as a police action.   Canadians were the bench mark for peace keeping and our men and women put themselves in harms way across the globe saving the lives of thousands of innocents who had the misfortune of being born in the wrong time and place.  .  

Then there was the whole Afghanistan thing.  A war not of our own making but where we supported our neighbours.   As much as those in this corner of my home and native land will hate me for bringing it up, we were fortunate enough to have a sitting government with the insight to keep us out of Iraq.  But Canadians, like they always have, did the heavy lifting in Afghanistan.  And in defence of our neighbours we paid a very heavy toll.  It's what we do.  We have never asked for a whole bunch in return.  Which, as it turns out is pretty much exactly what we should have expected.   

Those sacrifices made by so many good men and women are appreciated by many.  But the end result?  Over on this side of the pond (or ponds for that matter) we don't appear to be all that happy.   Cause happiness just isn't all that profitable, and it certainly doesn't work for political leaders.

Where it only seems logical that a happy society should be the goal of those we elect,  the opposite is apparent.  Where it seems obvious that those in opposition attack policies of those who form a government, these days the attacks fly both ways.  Where you may expect attack ads, if necessary, during an election, they have become part of broadcasting budgets year round.  

Polarization has been such a part of politics in the free world for better than a decade.  Brexit, the 2020 American election are but two examples of how our leaders keep focused on factious problems, and neighbours who they insist are enemies.  And here in my home and native land if we ever were, we certainly are no longer exempt from the anger and hatred that our leaders so desperately need to stay where they are.  

It isn't about cleaner air or water.  It isn't about financial security or employment, or health services or international trade.  It is about those who want cleaner air or water being bleeding heart tree huggers.  It's about those who have financial security being threatened by those who don't.  It's about those who provide health services and education to name but two, being a burden on those who use those services.  It's not about policies.  It is about identifying an individual leader and making him/her an evil enemy of freedom and democracy.  

A few years back I had a friend who I lost when he was far too young.  He was a kind and easy going gentleman who had seen some things in life as most of us do.  Roy didn't make excuses for things turning out the way they did, and as a result he was comfortable with who he was.  A good man.  I bring up Roy simply because he believed in sayings and philosophies that he used as self direction.  One of Roy's best philosophies?  "When you point your finger, you have three fingers pointing back at you."  Truer words.

We have allowed our leaders to use their positions to make those who need our help the enemy.  To blame the cost of services on those who need them most.  To identify those who are different as perverted, sick, or evil.  That those to whom we made promises are a drain on our society in spite of the fact those promises have been broken time and again.  That those to whom we have oppressed, neglected, and abused are easily offended when we non-cha-lantly use those words that were a tool to keep them oppressed, neglected or abused for so many years.  And that is on us.  

Truth is, it's not only easier for politicians to assign blame than it is to do the work, but it is also easier for those of us who have.  It is easier to be angry  for those of us who have than it is to be supportive or creative.  To be afraid of those who don't have than it is to help.  It is easier to follow those who put a face on our problems and create an enemy than it is to put ourselves out there  and support someone with ideas for our security and happiness.  It's easier to worry about debt,  than it is about environment.  Even though bankruptcy is a tool of business used repeatedly by the wealthiest of corporations and individuals.      

It is on us to demand more from our elected representatives.  It is on us to realize the difference between religion and politics.  It is on us.  Simple as that.  

Cause there have been many sacrifices made by Canadian men and women for better than a century to ensure we live in a free and democratic society.   And even if we don't think we deserve better..... well their memory and sacrifices definitely do.