My Politik. And Jims.
I have always been politically inclined, as far back as I can remember. Growing up in Smoky Lake shaped me into a pragmatic person, or at least as pragmatic as I like to think I am. Like everyone, I have made mistakes, learned, and grown, and for many of us, that includes our politics.
Lately, the political climate feels increasingly partisan and extreme. It’s as if supporting one party or leader over another somehow taints you. I don’t like that feeling. We have to remember that most people don’t support a party or leader with the goal of destroying the country.
We aren’t enemies. We are brothers and sisters. Some people might have special interests or support one party over another for personal gain, but no matter who you support, we can’t leave each other behind. We can’t lose respect for one another.
The Canada I believe in is one of mutual respect. We aren’t always going to agree on everything, but the foundation of our disagreements should be built on compassion.
I write this now in the current political climate we are living in. The current state of the world demands that we have the courage to not back down from what Canada should stand for. This brings me back to the topic of courage, which I touch on in my debut book, You’re Already Dead.
This is the Canada that our men and women in uniform strive to protect. They put their lives on the line for the ideals of this country and to uphold those ideals in parts of the world that need our presence. Their sacrifice is meant to preserve the very fabric of our society, so what is it worth if we allow ourselves to be torn apart here at home?
As I said earlier, I’m a pragmatic person, and I have voted for every political party across the spectrum at one point or another. But my vote now goes to whoever defends and amplifies what makes Canada special: the courage to do the right thing, both for our citizens and for the marginalized abroad, a Canada that stands for hope, opportunity, and justice.
Things may never be perfect, constantly ebbing and flowing between ideologies and interests, but the moment we lose the courage to stand up for one another, the idea that no one gets left behind, is the moment we lose this thing called Canada.
Today, August 10, would have been my dad’s 67th birthday. He is the central figure in my book, and although there are many chapters, including one titled “Courage,” the spirit of the book itself is about courage because he is the central theme. That’s one thing he truly lived with and died with. Wherever you are, Jim, happy birthday. Thanks for the lessons.
Thank you for reading.
