first word number viewed the last two. What is less easy to understand, and more interesting, is why Canadians did. Part of the Canadian attraction, of course, is the tremendous importance of our trade relationship. Canadians watched these debates because they are convinced that America and its values matter in the world, and that our proximity to those values means by osmosis they are, at least in part, Canadian values too.
What pops into your head when you hear the word leader? If you’re like most people, you envision a general leading soldiers into battle, or a politician rousing a crowd to action. It’s easy to understand why Americans cared so much about the U.S. debates – it's their country, after all. About 67 million Americans watched the first Presidential debate and a similar
During the debate (yes, I too was one of the Canadians watching) I observed 20-somethings who were glued to their TV's and I wondered what they understood about the issues at hand. I asked a couple of them if they knew what the Pell Grant was or when the Affordable Care Act (which provides health insurance to 32 million previously uninsured Americans) was passed and how it could affect our already deficient pool of physicians in Canada. Just to give you an idea, that 32 million is roughly the population
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of Canada. On both accounts, they knew very little and seemed more interested in which candidate shared their values. As Canadians, we have our own issues at hand, trying to make do with this long, drawn-out recession. If we look locally, we really need to build an even stronger community at home. In this issue, Steve Sheppard's Smell the Coffee and Debbie Gray's Common Cents columns echo my thoughts about investing in our community; that means not only buying local but finding ways to encourage the younger generation to build their lives on the Peninsula. Advocating for more attainable housing and increasing the awareness of the abundance of local manufacturing jobs right here in Sidney is just the beginning. As much as it all starts locally, our government leaders have to take some responsibility. If Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau or Thomas Mulcair seek to inspire Canadians they would do well to take a page from our neighbours to the south and convince Canadians, no, tell them, that we are not just another country. We matter. Canadians have a responsibility and an important role to play in the future of both our country and, even more importantly, our local community. We need to make a difference. This coming holiday season, whether you're gift giving, buying trimmings for the tree or food for the feasts to come, please Shop Locally, Give Locally – it will make a difference in your community. And let us not forget to take a silent moment on November 11th, to remember all those other leaders in our community who fought for our country and died in the line of duty. God Bless.
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SEASIDE TIMES | november 2012
Photo by www.joannway.com. Thanks to Marmalade Tart Boutique for the clothing!
Sue Hodgson, Publisher