Oh Canada...

A couple of weeks ago I asked Andrea from "Tales of a Farmwife" to write up something about Canada, socialized healthcare, and poverty. I'm not going to comment any more than to say this is an excellent essay that speaks for itself. Here it is:

"Oh Canada..."
When I hear of horrors (terrorism in Beslan, Sudan attrocities, 911,
widespread poverty and desperation), I cannot help but be so thankful to
live in Canada. But that doesn't keep me from envisioning a different and
better Canada.

We love our identity as 'peacekeepers' but we don't hate injustice and
cruelty enough to fight for the oppressed in so many global situations - we
think diplomacy is the answer to terror. As if we have any answers to peace
in a country so divided that Quebec and Western Canada feel completely
alienated and view separation as an attractive alternative.

We believe we need to 'live and let live' and so we'll fight for the
changing the definition of marriage to support homosexuality (why not, if
it's not hurting us) but we willingly overlook the rights of the unborn and
think we're making society a better place. We are afraid of standing for any
morals so we stand for nothing and become amoral and think it's wonderful to
be so 'politically correct'.

We love the Robin Hood mentality of taking from the rich to give to the poor
without a thought for economic realities that keep businesses from being
viable in a tough global marketplace. We don't seem to understand that
socialism creates a sense of entitlement to those who are not willing to
work hard for what that great standard of living we believe we should all
enjoy. We believe that seniority is more important than hard work when
granting promotions and don't seem to realize that initiative is thus
destroyed. And yet when the business giants are in danger of collapsing due
to huge inefficiencies and problems, we willingly throw money at the
situation because we realize that many jobs are on the line and we can't let
that happen. I think it is erroneous to think that socialist thinking is
more Christian because of its noble sounding cry for the poor and minority
peoples just as I think it is erroneous to believe that Capitalists don't
have great compassion and concern for those same people.

We think tolerance is a virtue but isn't it about what we're tolerant?
Tolerance of criminals and pornographers is considered compassionate.
Tolerance of Christian ideals is not tolerated, however.

We pat ourselves on the back for funding extensive social programs without
asking if those programs are really effective or if more money is propping
up the bureaucracy than is getting into the hands that need it.

We are so proud of our health care system that gives equitable, free
treatment for every citizen. But who gave us the idea that it is free? And
what about the quality of that service? We pay for it and do not get the
benefits unless we live in the right neighborhood. I live 20 min from the
hospital that services the entire Southwest corner of our province and we
can't even get a broken bone set there without being sent another 2-3 hours
to a 'central' hospital. We can't even keep enough doctors and for a time I
was not sure if I'd even be able to have my baby here because there were so
few doctors available. And everyone knows that cutting edge medical
technology is very often found in the States. Why is that iniative so often
found there and not here?

We pride ourselves on not being Americans and yet we are so comfortable to
ride on their shirtails in matters of global economics and national defense.

Socialism breeds mediocrity (Jean Chretien was a good example - not a leader
I ever respected ). There is such a careless attitude about politics. No one
demands integrity, and upright moral character from our leaders. We expect
and accept that our politicians don't mean what they promise - that
everything is just an election game and has little to do with reality. And
we're willing to believe whatever told by media - how conservatives that
favor capitalist ideas are a danger to our society. And a leader who does
not hide that he attends church and has faith in God is a real threat.

We're proud of democracy and yet many have no voice. Because our voice is
only represented by population without the balance of representation by
area, my voice is effectively silenced at the polls. But I will continue to
vote and I will continue to care deeply for this great nation of ours.