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Theresa's Tidbits: Canada still a great nation
Theresa Seraphim
for Spotlight
Patriotism is your
conviction that this
country is superior to
all other countries because
you were born in
it. – George Bernard
Shaw
Thank you, Canada,
for all the great things
you have given to each
of us over the past 143
years.
We have a democratic
system of government.
If we don’t like those in
power, we can throw
them out every four or
five years. There are
many countries whose
people have no choice
about who rules them.
Along with this, we
have not been warmongers.
Indeed, we have a
worldwide reputation
for having kept the
peace in several parts
of the world. Indeed, the
Dalai Lama could have
been talking about Canada
when he said,
“Peace…starts within
each one of us. When
we have inner peace,
we can be at peace with
those around us. When
our community is in a
state of peace, it can
share that peace with
neighbouring communities,
and so on.”
Yet when our more
active involvement is
called upon, such as it
has been in Afghanistan,
we rise to the occasion
and shoulder our
share (actually, even
more than that, which
other countries are recognizing
more and
more and has helped
put us on the world
map, as well). Indeed,
the fact that almost 150
soldiers have been
killed since the 2002
start of the mission
speaks for itself, as do
the ubiquitous “Support
Our Troops” vehicle
stickers. However we
feel about the mission,
we Canadians do stand
behind the men and
women over there.
Thanks to the foresight
of Tommy
Douglas, we have a
medical system which
provides treatment for
everyone regardless of
ability to pay.
The fact that Douglas
was chosen the Greatest
Canadian several
years ago shows how
much we value that system
– as we should. In
many countries, if
you’re ill but can’t afford
treatment, too bad
for you. Yes, this can be
open to abuse (that’s
another column), but at
least Canadians don’t
have to worry about
what will happen if they
become ill or are injured.
We are polite, saying
“sorry” if we accidentally
bump someone.
This is better than not
caring about the potential
consequences of
jostling the other person.
There are many traits
that set Canada apart
from other countries.
We can celebrate them
with pride – and not
only on July 1.
Thank you so much,
Canada – and here’s to
another 143 years.
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