by Judith Windover

Created on: December 04, 2008

Political Responsibility
I'm not at all surprised that it's taken the drama of politics to grab my attention to political matters. However, I am a little surprised it's taken this long. My newfound political passions were first fueled by the dramatic changes in the U.S. and have since expanded to include Canadian politics with the great threat of a coalition, subtle espionage, escalated tempers, threats, and subsequent prorogue and retreat.

It appears the Tory's are more concerned about their own financial pockets than they are of the people they intend to lead, or so some media and politicians would like us to believe. Yet I can't help but wonder if the coalition isn't being secretly backed by a deceptively desperate automotive industry seeking financial bailout at the taxpayer's expense. And while I have compassion and seek mutual and viable solutions for massive job losses and overall economic despair, I can't help but feel that truth is being distorted by individual and collective agendas.

If I knew anything about politics, which I profess to know very little, I might actually stand up and take on the challenge of leadership myself in spite of the seemingly overwhelming nature of events. Yet in a world of political deception whereby each person is out for him or herself, I'm not sure my stomach would be up for the task.

Strong leadership is important for the future of any organization or government but not at the cost of ethics. For the past two days I've heard government officials claim to know what Canadians want. And yes, jobs and income are of paramount interest. However, in all my 42 years of overhearing political conversations between family and friends, I think it's safe to say that what most Canadians want is honesty.

Oprah Winfrey once said, "A person can do anything and be forgiven by the public so long as they are honest about it." And I agree. The easiest thing to do is forgive another when mistakes are made because mistakes are human. Yet, so too, are lies. Yet I think most people will agree, mistakes are more easily forgiven.

What will happen come January 26, 2009 when the doors of parliament reopen? It seems no one including the politicians knows. Yet we as Canadians do not have to wait for fate to happen for fate is the consequence of action and inaction.

Canadians have choices. We can either choose to passively sit back and wait for politicians to ask us what we think and feel or we become proactive and seek them out instead. We can take interest in our own future and become excited about our lives. We can learn what each of the parties represents either by visiting their websites or by calling them and making an appointment to talk to our local MPP's. We can show politicians that our lives and our futures matter and that we have an invested interest in what it means to be a community here at home and abroad. We can show that our individual and collective economic situation matters and that we want to be part of the solution instead of suffering at the hands of those who make choices for us. If ever there was a window of opportunity to seize the reins and become an empowered nation, it is now.

My pledge to myself in the coming weeks to follow is to educate and acquaint myself with local politics to better understand the pressures and demands being placed on federal governments. I urge each of you to do the same.

Economic crisis is everyone's responsibility. We all contributed to the rise and we're all responsible for the fall. Now is the time to rally together, brainstorm, contribute to, and take accountability for a future plan that will secure and assure our nation stays strong. Leadership is not about one man's responsibility. The responsibility belongs to us all.

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