Dear Editor:
Where have all the leaders gone?
I am reminded daily of the ever increasing numbers of sheep in this country, and have seriously given much thought as to how human beings ever made it to the top of the food chain.
At last year’s Canada Day celebrations, I saw thousands upon thousands of people who live in this country and are proud of it. How many of you are going to start fighting for it?
Morally and ethically, we are failing.
As citizens who are truly concerned about what our governments are doing, whether municipal, provincial, or federal, we are failing.
As parents who mould the next generation, we are failing.
As individuals who should have vision and clarity beyond the present day, we are failing.
If you are not happy with the actions of a politician, tell them. The answer that I hear so often to this is, “Well, they never listen.” They will, if enough of you call and write. According to StatsCan numbers, one phone call equals 10 people who feel the same way, and one letter equals 100 people who feel the same way. Our so-called leaders are not the brightest light bulbs in the pack. They will listen to your solutions and suggestions, if enough of you tell them what is on your mind.
With the breakdown of the family unit, so goes the breakdown of society. Whatever your family unit is to you is negotiable. Did you want children or did that responsibility get clouded in the fun of the moment? We have a societal responsibility and obligation, as well as a parental one, to ensure that the next generation, quite simply people, turn out better than we did.
Example: watching a screen, be it video or television, is not cutting it. StatsCan numbers state that 12 to 17-year-olds watch 1`3 hours of television a week. Not computers, or IPods — just television. Who would you want your children to emulate-John Wayne or John Soap Opera?
This is the first generation in recorded history where we are not leaving the world better off than when we came into it. We all came into this world screaming and naked and with nothing, and we do not leave with much more than that. However, what you do in between those two traumatic days, can make a world of difference in many ways. Don’t ever try to tell me that one person cannot make a difference, or change the world, however small the contribution.
If you do not like gophers in your backyard, then you do something about it.
If you do not like that gasoline prices are too high, then you do something about it.
If you do not like the corruption and waste of your money in government, then you do something about it.
If you are fed up that little Johnny is out destroying Aunt Martha’s garden again, then you do something about it. Get my point?
We are now involved in another election that very few of us wanted or needed. There are a group of men and women who are acting like little children having a temper tantrum. I am urging every Canadian to send baby soothers to Ottawa, as I have done. Perhaps, then, these morally and ethically lacking “adults” will get the message.
At the very least, get involved in how your country is run by calling your member of Parliament.
Kevin Emmons