To the Editor,
Nearly 60 years ago, when I was a callow, long-haired hippie watching the anti-war protests south of the border, I asked myself, “Under what conditions would I, could I, ever go to war?” After long and careful consideration, I decided that I could and would go to war to protect my Canada from any hostile invasion. Pacifism is all very fine when there is no threat to your freedom, but at some point, you must risk what you have to keep what you’ve got.
I love Canada. I think it is the best country in the world. At least, it was, until our own governments became predatory parasites bent on taking away everything that makes Canada great.
They have used our own virtues against us. Do we want better education? Let the government ‘fix’ it. Do we care for the less fortunate? Let the government ‘fix’ it. Do we care for the environment? Let the government ‘fix’ it. More government became the answer for everything. And everything the government touches turns to crap.
We see more illiteracy and ignorance than ever before. More poverty, addiction, and disease. The environment is degraded and dangerous through neglect. And the solution to these problems? More government.
Perhaps the most disheartening symptom of decay is the many immigrants I have met who plan return to their home countries. These people came here because Canada had a reputation for freedom and opportunity. Our ‘helpful’ governments are expensive, more government means more regulation and higher taxes. More regulation and higher taxes mean less freedom and fewer opportunities.
When I was young, I thought I would go to war to protect Canada from hostile invasion. I never considered that the threat would come from within our own nation. We have seen the enemy, and he is us.
Dave Gosse,
Camrose, Alta.
