As we approach the beginning of the 2020s we, as an Island, as a country and the world, have so much to look forward to.
While we can learn so much from the past, I don’t think we should waste too much time and energy fixating on it.
It can never be a good thing to constantly pick at scabs, no matter how painful and traumatic the cause may have been.
Individually, we should focus our efforts locally, on what we can do to improve our own communities for the betterment of everyone.
We should strive to ensure basic entities for everyone. Accommodation, food, health care and education.
To do this, we must stop segmenting society into convenient societal groupings; i.e., the middle class, the rich, the poor, the homeless.
The reality is we are all one happening away from a personal disaster that would change our lives and our way of life forever.
Personal wealth, profit and taxes are not dirty words. They are honourable and the fuel to improve the well being of everyone. However, taxes do need to be carefully monitored to ensure that they are used in a meaningful way for those most in need.
The changes needed cannot be legislated. If that were not so, why do we have murders, assaults or speeding vehicles? We have ample legislation in place that prohibits them.
We need a total change in our thought process that seeks to improve the basic quality of life for everyone.
No more us and them, no more finger pointing.
May 2020 herald a new beginning for the betterment of everyone.
Roy Summerhayes,
Chemainus