Now is the time to demand a more just and sustainable society

I’ve been talking to a lot of people lately. It’s one of the side-effects of COVID-19.

We have time to have conversations that are more than cursory. And a lot of time to think.

And what I’m thinking right now, is this: if we are really serious about changing the way the world works, we haven’t got a moment to spare.

For the first time in history, perhaps, governments around the globe are focused on the real needs of their citizens. Food security. Shelter. Robust and responsive health care networks. Steady income.

Not only are we witnessing in real time the vulnerable and tentative nature of our current societal structure, we are coming to realize in stark relief, the value and importance of those who form the foundation of that structure.

Truck drivers, grocery clerks, warehouse workers, personal service workers, cleaners, municipal works personnel, food service employees. Farmers and their seasonal migrant workers.

You know, the people we mostly take for granted, when life is “normal.” It should be obvious by now that, without that sturdy foundation, the rest of our “advanced,” society would come crumbling down, in a hurry.

We’re also, suddenly, acutely aware of the margins of our society. The most vulnerable of all. The poor. The homeless. The addicts and the mentally ill.

For once, we have the time to stop thinking about ourselves.

And so, naturally, we’re doing a lot of talking, about the other things.

My fear is that talk, is all it will be. We feel the vulnerabilities of others, when we ourselves, are vulnerable.

When the oppression of this pandemic finally lifts, I’m afraid our current empathy for others will, as well.

The argument of course will be that “Now is not the time …” to discuss big picture, long-term adjustments to the way society works.

If not now, then when, I ask?

We will be too busy getting on with life, at the other end of this.

In the mid-’60s the combined tax rate on business was 50 per cent. Now, it’s 11.

It’s pretty clear that somewhere between those two numbers is the magic formula that will create, sustain, and improve, a more just, stable, and equitable society. Income, and property taxes alone will not be enough to accomplish that goal.

In the financial crisis of 2008, all five major Canadian banks, and many large corporations were underwater. Governments spent billions to bail them out. And life went on.

And after so many of our tax dollars were used to help corporate Canada survive over the last two decades, it’s time to return the favour.

The pursuit of endlessly higher profit margins, to the detriment of social responsibility, has been a key factor in creating the circumstances we now face.

If we truly want real change, now is the time to advocate, to push, to demand.

Let those in power hear your voices. Write, call, protest, march. (Singly, or in your car, perhaps.)

Whatever it takes.

Fire up your social media platforms, and petitions, and get to work. Demand new legislation, and new regulations, and demand them now.

Basic income supports. Affordable housing. Less reliance on foreign suppliers for critical items like food and medical stocks. Steady, and stable funding for health care.

Do it.

It’s important. Critical, even. And, after all, during the largest global quarantine in modern history, what else are you doing, right now?