Time for a reset in Canada

Dear Editor:

Anger abounds. Polarization prevails. It’s time to wake from our slumber, fellow Canadians.

Extremists at both ends of the political spectrum seem to be taking over.

“Wokeism” needs to be constrained. For example, holding people from centuries ago to today’s standards seems absurd. Ordinary people stay silent for fear of being labelled as bigots.

A balance needs to be struck between essential civil liberties and vital collective rights. Totally unrestricted individual “freedom” leads to anarchy. Critical lifesaving vaccines need to be encouraged.

There are many serious issues in our country which need immediate attention. However, many of our grievances would seem trivial to people in most of the world who struggle just to survive. Maybe we all need to just chill out a bit and smile more.

Our most urgent priorities should be the environment and biodiversity, which need to be cherished and protected -- without these, we have nothing. Our elected representatives are working hard to address these and other current issues. They often have significantly different solutions in mind, and we need to listen carefully and elect the best people to make improvements.

Civility must return to political discourse -- our politicians and servants deserve no less.

Let’s return to the Canadians we used to be -- friendly, polite, respectful, caring and tolerant. Let’s genuinely consider the opinions of others and strive for consensus.

Canada is a wonderful country. Nowhere is perfect, but we have an open and fully functioning democracy. A strong social safety net exists. We have a good standard of living and can live without fear for our personal safety. Let’s keep it that way. Tom Brown

Kelowna them, but their net effect kills incentive and prosperity.

Venezuela, Greece and Argentina are examples of economic meltdown from socialism run amok which has required harsh corrections. Argentina has the highest per capita ratio of psychologists in the world; no doubt they’re now working overtime to console deprived leftists. If socialists really understood economics they wouldn’t be socialists.

The NDP uses an income threshold to determine eligibility for carbon tax rebates. Rebates appear to be an unspoken dividing line between rich and poor, although most who don’t get a rebate probably don’t feel that rich. Being classified as rich with an NDP dipstick is no cause for joy; it just means more exposure to taxes.

The NDP want to tax the rich, but refuse to be pinned down on who they are. It would be good to know what they consider their “fair share” of what someone else has worked for. The condemned deserve to know their fate in advance.

The NDP wants to keep the carbon tax, but promises to eliminate the GST on home heating. My last heating bill includes $18.14 in carbon tax and $4.07 GST. They can keep their cheesy GST offer. If the NDP really wants to help people they would end their dysfunctional relationship with the Liberals and stop the foolishness that’s driving us beyond the point of no return. It doesn’t take an economist or a psychologist to know this. John Thompson

Kaleden