What's Right With Us?

Recently I’ve been asking myself, “What’s wrong with us?”  I’m referring to the craziness surrounding our now famous Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, as well as the slimy spending disclosures and non-disclosures of our senators, and Quebec construction cost gratuities funneled into the pockets of organized crime organizations.

But to put my question into perspective, after comparing these recent events to those that unfold in other parts of the world, I think I really should ask myself, “What’s Right with us?”

I’m no expert on corruption in other parts of the world, but I’ve recently traveled to Uganda and Tanzania and have followed a bit of the events in these pseudo-democracies.  For example, Uganda protest: Reporters tear-gassed at Daily Monitor

I feel very proud of our Canadian journalists who relentlessly chase stories, yet who get blamed for stirring up trouble.  A free press can be a very bothersome presence to good citizens who don’t like trouble stirred up in their neighbourhoods.  The good folks of Etobicoke (one of Toronto’s inner suburbs) don’t want the attention that our mayor attracts, but that’s tough.

And to those who ask the questions that help to reinforce the concept of the great divide in Toronto between the downtowners and the inner-suburbanites (yes, I’m referring to you, Steve Paikin, Toronto's Class Clash) I will answer it this way:

I believe that most Torontonians value the same things. I live in the inner suburb of North York, and yet do not support the kind of ‘conservative’ reactions of the Ford Nation supporters.  Much of Toronto’s downtown is a jewel in the crown, and it serves us all well to support the bike lanes, the general liveability, and public transit in our downtown core.  We all benefit from a vibrant downtown Toronto, and I think much of the anti-downtown sentiment, where it does exist, comes from those who are jealous of downtowners who have made a decision to spend more on housing costs than people who would rather have bigger houses and live further away from the downtown core (to each his own).

And Mr. Clement, I am actually happy that you’ve exposed the number of sick days taken by civil servants, but I can’t help wondering if you are trying to deflect attention from the senate spending issue. Feds to crack down on public sector sick day abuse

But to you reporters, journalists, and media people, keep up the good work.  Don’t stop pushing, asking hard questions, and knocking on those doors.  You’re bothersome and pesky, but I love you!  What’s right with us?  You are!!!