Fear and Loathing in Canada
I am not by nature a nervous person. I’m not brave, I’m just not nervous. Because luckily, I've learned to ignore everything politicians have to say.
Which is a good thing because in this country every time you turn around another Harper cabinet minister is in a full-blown panic. It's like they believe their number one job description is to freak Canadians out. It's at the point now where if Vic Toews or Jason Kenney ran into my house in the middle of the night screaming fire, I’m not moving until I smell smoke.
And it doesn’t matter what the issue, the message is always the same. Be afraid Canada, be very afraid. And build more prisons. And the Prime Minister? The only time he seems happy is when he's hanging out with Nickelback or he’s leaning forward reminding us once again that we live in perilous times, danger is lapping at our shores. Winston Churchill was more upbeat at the height of the blitz.
Meanwhile statistically we are living in the safest time in our entire history. Crime is down. You would think the government might remind us of that on occasion. I mean, it's a good news story. Crime is down. But no, instead they say, well, crime is down, but unreported crime is up. Who does that? That's like instead of telling your kid there’s no monster under the bed, saying, well there are no reports of monsters under your bed, but unreported monsters? Who's to say?
Why would a government want people to be afraid? Because people who are afraid, they do what they’re told; they pass over their lunch money; they keep their mouths shut.
Don't fall for it.
There's nothing to fear but fear itself and the people who benefit from spreading it.
Posted: 05/10/2011 7:14:52 AM | with 0 comments