<– [This FULL PAGE AD appeared in the Toronto Star, Sunday, May 5,2024]
A couple of points to consider, Mr. Caldwell…
When
You write a glowing, heart-warming bit of nostalgia there, but the question is, “When?” What time period are you referring to? You clearly are not referring to Canada today.
Let’s do a bit of time guessing
Let’s guess a little about what period you are referring to as Canada and to which your points might apply.
The 1950s? The post-war period was a boom time for Canada. Many immigrants were eager to begin rebuilding their lives, feed their families, find work—any work—and take on the tasks of making a living while caring for their families. Canada was looking like a positive place to be, on the edge of unrivalled prosperity. You may be referring to this decade.
Even though the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s were times when protests and government criticism grew from nascent beginnings to young adult maturity. Nevertheless, the children of the post-war immigrant parents continued hopeful adherence to their parental philosophies of work and home-life responsibilities. They aspired to the same goals of permanent jobs, concrete career development, and ownership of home and property. Though some questioning of government was creeping into society, for the most part, life was good. You may be referring to this decade.
Perhaps you were talking about the ’90s, ‘OOs. Though the criticism of governments was relentlessly edging ahead, it was becoming more blatant, more glaring and more open. Political leader effigies were torched, and national flags trampled and burned. The demonstrators’ numbers were less than the majority, but they were growing. Growing in number, growing in volume, growing in violence. However, the majority still believed. The prosperity was still good. The hope of its continued growth was still there. You may be referring to those decades.
However, a dark genie was uncorked in the new millennium decades of OOs and 10s, the digital age’s unquestioned malcontent, ‘social media.’ The grandchildren of the post-war parents, nourished by the anonymity of the Internet, spewed unbridled criticism of government, institutions, and authority figures. The vehemence was uncontrolled. The principles and philosophies of the previous decades were cynically elbowed aside. No figure of authority was safe from criticism and condemnation. Previous commitments to social responsibilities and economic obligations were tossed. Every political leader, every politician, an open target, accused of corruption and malfeasance. You cannot be targeting this time period because Canada was deteriorating at that time. Nothing to idolize. Social problems were erupting everywhere, all kinds of ‘isms’ of offense and denigration. Ageism, sexism, racism, unmitigated hate accompanied by homelessness, growing drug abuse, rising numbers of mental problems, increased use and demand for socially led rescue. A very troubled society. You cannot be referring to Canada of these decades.
So when is the Canada you write about, Mr. Caldwell?
What is your point, sir?
More importantly, what is your point, Mr. Caldwell? Are you simply chastising and criticizing our government, our political leaders, and our politicians?
You ask politicians and political parties to divert themselves from ‘their own narrow political interests and agenda,’ quite a sweeping generalization. The brush seems to be applied to all politicians. Might there not be some who are dedicated to developing and improving our society? Could there not be a few who believe in their responsibility to deliver good government?
Maybe this is what you are saying
Mr. Caldwells, maybe this is what you are saying…”Canada, we have had some good times, some decades of prosperity and good living. Those times no longer exist, and the blame rests on the shoulders of our politicians and our political parties. Attention Canada! These are not good times any longer. It is time for good political persons to step up, stand up and ACT!
[We invite your response to this Caldwell advertisement in the reply section at the bottom of this post.]
