Learning from history and mistakes
In this New Year it is time to take back our values.
Much was said about Canada 150 – a nation forged in fire. We focused on those valiant souls who gave their youth and lives to ensure we, their decedents, had a good quality of life. On the home front back then our families did without, to ensure their success. They gave so much.
We also made great strides in moving forward to reach out and reconcile with Canada’s 1st people. Although it may be, from some accounts, that the Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Persons inquiry has hit a hiccup, the work continues and voices have been heard and will continue to be heard.
Our history has complicated aspects that, viewed with today’s sensibilities, cause great challen- ges. Our forefathers looked for solutions that at the time they reasoned were positive. Now we see the results. We hear the pain, the anguish and are being made aware of the losses.
During our wars to end all wars ethnic minorities, Japanese and German 1st and 2nd generations of Canadians were held with suspicion. Guided by fear, mistakes were made. They too suffered and have received long overdue recognition. Yet that also happened to a peaceful group of Acadians. Fear ripped them from their homes as the government of the day saw them as a threat.
But governments were different then. When they took action the elected officials took responsibility – maybe, as we now know, not quite the best.
Our world in Canada now has elected representation who are following scripted lines – mantras to be re-elected. These same entities have sent up many socalled firewalls so they can respond with “not my problem.” Bureaucrats prevail! When you ask a representative about any agency you are referred to officials that in most cases cannot talk to because of firewalls. Some say, “Why bother with the expense of elections if the bureaucrats make all the decisions?” Yet, I still hold onto the concept that this is a democracy wherein we the people have a voice. Not bottom line bean counters.
Political firewalls and handlers are there to protect the political elect-ability. I know all too well. I was in that professional role for all too many years for five politicians.
Provincially our elected officials have outsourced our health care. Federally our politicians have outsourced the payroll system, Revenue Canada, etc. There is no accountably as the politicians have to follow the dictated lines and cannot talk with any unscrupulous 3rd party entities that are putting destitute seniors in hospital due to stress. That impacts health care costs.
Far too many low-income seniors are making choices between food, heat and medication. Shades of the past. What with the future say about us?
Will it say we understood the injustice of the past and made efforts to ensure that it did not happen again?
The small group of dear ones who are fighting valiantly for some acknowledgment and recognition for the Marshalltown Alms House and the hundreds of dear souls buried in unmarked graves need our understand and support.
Will it also say that we in southwest Nova Scotia stayed true to our rural values of kindness, charity, love, acceptance and support?
History has many lessons. If we do not learn, they will repeat.