This morning, I enrolled in a self-directed political science class determined to learn what was meant by "Captain Canada's" ongoing use of the term "the common good." According to Mr. Martin, the Liberals espouse it and the Conservatives aint got it. Every news clip I happened upon yesterday, Mr. "I Love Canada" dropped the concept into his speech as an attempt to smear his opponent. Problem was...........like many other Canadians, I didn't quite know what he was referring to. Granted, I was able to make a sound guess and grasp the basic premise of the catch-all phrase. However, I was still left wondering what exactly he meant by it. What did "the common good" encompass?
It stuck in my craw. Curiosity took over. Lo and behold, I hit information paydirt thanks to my old reliable friend, Herr Google. It turned out that my first year political science class also encompassed philosophy, ethics and religious teachings. Who knew??? Now, I think I have enough information and questions to be able to write a pretty darn good paper on the subject. But not today.............today I will share a synopsis, as linearly as I am able.
This is what I think............
The common good is the foundational social system that includes institutions, laws and a supportive environment that benefits all people. Examples? Accessible health care to all, an effective public safety system, a democratic and just political system, clean water, access to income support when needed, a clean environment, an untarnished and flourishing economic system.............etc. Given this, it's pretty darn apparent that every social problem in one way or another is connected to how well these systems and institutions are functioning.
Why then does the Liberal Party feel that they have the market cornered on the "common good?" Furthermore, havent they messed it up?
The Liberal Party has mocked the common good. Where does Martin get off paternalistically blathering on about how his party is the only party that represents Canada's values, when in fact they have done their best to tarnish the very infrastructure of our way of life? C'mon!
It's time for a change. It's time for this country's perception that the Liberal Party is Canada to change. What do the people of this country want? How much government intervention do we really need and want? What are our collective values?
I'm all for the common good, now that I know what it means, but I also think too much of a good thing is, well too much! I'm no Libertarian, but how far does the government have the right to espouse their values and definition of the common good on the Jane Q. Citizen? Does the "common good" concept strive for a "birth to death" social system whereby the individual takes no responsibility for their actions and purpose in life? Are there people out there that take advantage of the system, not assume responsibility for upholding the maintainance of the infrastructure? Where do you draw the line?
The Red Tory in me strongly believes shared infrastructure should not be dismissed outrightly because it does represent the values of community, while challenging all members to respect the choices others make in pursuing their individualism. But how does one accomodate the opinions and values of all citizens? Also, are there members of the community who carry an unequal share of the burden? For example, making employment opportunities more equal may in turn require that some sacrifice their employment chances. That doesn't seem just.
No one party has the corner market on the common good. There may be various definitions and interpretations on the concept, but all parties in this country recognize and accept the need for a social infrastructure. Captain Canada's latest smear of the Conservative Party may have backfired.
I now know whom I'm voting for......the ghost of Doug Henning.
It stuck in my craw. Curiosity took over. Lo and behold, I hit information paydirt thanks to my old reliable friend, Herr Google. It turned out that my first year political science class also encompassed philosophy, ethics and religious teachings. Who knew??? Now, I think I have enough information and questions to be able to write a pretty darn good paper on the subject. But not today.............today I will share a synopsis, as linearly as I am able.
- Originated over 2000 years ago, the common good is a philosophical notion found in the writings of Plato and Aristotle.
- Thomas Aquinas elaborated on the topic extensively by reviewing Aristotle's work and expanding on it through his perception. (I invite you to use the link to access an interpretation of his Aquinas' thoughts)
- Contemporary ethicist, John Rawls (brother of Lou, perhaps?) defined it as "certain general conditions that are equally to everyone's advantage."
- The Catholic Church has defined it as "the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members realtively thorough and ready access to their own fullfillment."
This is what I think............
The common good is the foundational social system that includes institutions, laws and a supportive environment that benefits all people. Examples? Accessible health care to all, an effective public safety system, a democratic and just political system, clean water, access to income support when needed, a clean environment, an untarnished and flourishing economic system.............etc. Given this, it's pretty darn apparent that every social problem in one way or another is connected to how well these systems and institutions are functioning.
Why then does the Liberal Party feel that they have the market cornered on the "common good?" Furthermore, havent they messed it up?
- Accessible health care? Sure it's accessible, but we all know someone who waited way too long for a surgery or cancer tests. So many communities don't have enough doctors to meet the demands. This has been an ongoing problem for years now. Not good.
- Effective public safety? What about the cutbacks in personnel? Are our borders patrolled effectively? Increased gang and gun culture violence in our major cities. Not good.
- A democratic and just political system. The corruption highlight in the Gomery inquiry, to name one example. Where did Gagliano go after he was forced out of office in 2002? Dingwall? Not good.
- An untarnished and flourishing economic system. Well, supposedly the economy is doing well, but who the heck knows?? Who can rely on the statistics that emanate out of Ottawa? Income trust investigation? Not good.
The Liberal Party has mocked the common good. Where does Martin get off paternalistically blathering on about how his party is the only party that represents Canada's values, when in fact they have done their best to tarnish the very infrastructure of our way of life? C'mon!
It's time for a change. It's time for this country's perception that the Liberal Party is Canada to change. What do the people of this country want? How much government intervention do we really need and want? What are our collective values?
I'm all for the common good, now that I know what it means, but I also think too much of a good thing is, well too much! I'm no Libertarian, but how far does the government have the right to espouse their values and definition of the common good on the Jane Q. Citizen? Does the "common good" concept strive for a "birth to death" social system whereby the individual takes no responsibility for their actions and purpose in life? Are there people out there that take advantage of the system, not assume responsibility for upholding the maintainance of the infrastructure? Where do you draw the line?
The Red Tory in me strongly believes shared infrastructure should not be dismissed outrightly because it does represent the values of community, while challenging all members to respect the choices others make in pursuing their individualism. But how does one accomodate the opinions and values of all citizens? Also, are there members of the community who carry an unequal share of the burden? For example, making employment opportunities more equal may in turn require that some sacrifice their employment chances. That doesn't seem just.
No one party has the corner market on the common good. There may be various definitions and interpretations on the concept, but all parties in this country recognize and accept the need for a social infrastructure. Captain Canada's latest smear of the Conservative Party may have backfired.
I now know whom I'm voting for......the ghost of Doug Henning.
"An era can be said to end when its basic illusions are exhausted."
Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller
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