limited edition of manifested philanthropy

Is it worse to be poor in a rich country or to be poor in a poor country? Of course either way, living in poverty is always a bad thing. The problem is in many poor countries 10% of the people control 90% of the wealth. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. That being said, those who are poor together tend to find a common bond and appreciate every little thing they can get, whereas in a wealthy country it’s difficult to appreciate what little one has.

I can imagine some of you who have grown up anywhere from the low to high-end middle class spectrum to have at one point or another faced sudden ‘poverty’, at least subjectively, and tend to attempt to cover or rationalize that shame at having to go where only ‘they’ or ‘those people’ have to go to survive, rather than using the experience to understand how truly equal we all can be in a matter of moments.

I grew up in a family that puts emphasis on memory, experience, creation, and sustenance of feelings. As an example, whereas most traditional North American families and individuals focus on Christmas or Birthdays as a time to get, get, get, and even the ones who change it to give, give, give in a fit of altruism tend to zero in on the value of what they are giving, I find that people who have lost everything but their humanity are perfectly and truly happy to share a meal, a cheap bottle of wine, and talk for hours about the past, the present, and their hopes and dreams for the future. They expect nothing back but good company, honesty, and to be treated as an equal.

I find myself either writing or referring to that damn quote from Fight Club again - “…The things you own end up owning you. It’s only after you lose everything that you’re free to do anything.” Our cultural discourse tends to focus so much on the act of consumption that perhaps the liberation of our own consciousness ties into our ability to un-plug from the host, and communicate again in person.

I hate to have so many multiple posts in one, but before this comes back to haunt me I figured now is a better time than ever. Here is the intent for today.

I have this terrible feeling that it’s going to be a good night for the Conservative Party, which I think would be a truly terrible thing for this country – most importantly from a foreign policy standpoint. But there are also other very troubling issues that should concern us, such as the promise to attempt to repeal same sex marriage legislation. Even if you were raised or not to disagree with same sex or same sex marriage, it must be recognized that a very dangerous precedent will be set if a Conservative government, charged with upholding the Charter, is able to challenge and repeal a law based on religious bias.

For me, the right for gay Canadians to marry is a human rights issue. And while there are those that disagree, I am of the belief that gay rights and human rights are one in the same. And like the right to freely practice ones religion, the right for people of the same sex to legally marry is one that must be viewed as a fundamental right in any society that professes to champion human rights. There can be no half measures or grey area. It is not acceptable to view certain rights as inalienable and not others because of religious bias. Because if that is acceptable at the Federal level, what does that say about the Federal government’s ability to attack others, such as those of minority religions? No matter how you choose to look at this, it is counter to the principles of liberty and equality - two pillars on which our society rests.

Or so we like to believe…

What remains to be seen is whether Harper will command a majority or minority Conservative government.

A minority would be no sweat as far as Canadian progressives who want to protect the Canada we have is concerned. He will have no one to bargain with. The Liberals and Tories are filled with enmity for one another. I can't see Jack Layton and the NDP cowtowing to the Conservatives on important issues such as the environment and militarization. Dealing with the Bloc would look bad on the Tories, and in some ways the Bloc as well. The Tories agenda on things like Kyoto, missile defence, and social conservative issues, would be in oppoistion to the Bloc positions on this issues. If the Conservatives win a minority government on Monday, I don't think we’d have as much to ‘really’ worry about.

A majority, on the other hand, would be a frightening prospect. Harper has said he would be restrained by the courts and by the Senate. With respect to the courts, he would be. That means the issues like same-sex marriage and abortion are safe from revisitation, for the forseeable future. However, it is customary and expected for the Senate to eventually pass all legislation that is sent to it from the House of Commons.

My major concerns with respect to Harper are numerous and include such things as agreeing to negotiate with the US over missile defence. Saying no to the Kyoto treaty. And retracting the aboriginal agreement reached a couple of months ago.

Harper has already indicated these positions on these issues in his platform. In my opinion, human survival is at stake with respect to the missile defence and ‘lack there of’ a commitment towards the climate change issues.

For those who believe I am all leftist within regards to my preceeding statements. For those who like to talk about Left vs. Right, I'd like to point out that two dimensional political spectrums only apply in specific domains. The Left vs. Right of the United States for example looks a little different than the Left vs. Right in Canada.

When one starts to think globally, the picture is vastly more complex. Even nationally, I believe Left vs. Right is now too simplistic to describe the true situation. Theres considerable debate over what exactly could be a 3 dimensional political spectrum. Interesting enough, to anyone who says democracy is what we have, you'd be wrong. Especially in the United States. In true capitalist form, those with the money end up ruling the society. An Oligarchy or Plutocracy of some sort.

This Monday, I urge you to go out of your way to vote. Not only because it is your right but it is your time to send a message. It is not a question of who you believe in. It is a question of what you believe in.

Please Note: (fine print) Your vote cannot translate the will of the people, the citizens of this country, directly into policy making. Policy making is distorted by Corporate interests mainly, and secondly by the idealistic bias of the political parties. Surely, you'll agree. We're all on the side of the almighty dollar.