pearwaldorf | Entries tagged with oh canada

Jack Layton, of course, was an iconic figure despite his short stature, etc etc. To me, he represented things that ran screaming for the hills in American politics a long time ago: scrappiness, integrity, and the sense that if you worked hard enough, you could change things for the better (cf. the hilarious yet adorably earnest 404 page on the NDP site). Even so, I'm surprised at how strong my reaction to his death has been. It's not just that a good man has died, but it feels like a door has closed and an era has passed. And I do not know how to fucking deal.

But Jack would not have wanted people to think that way. Even if you're not Canadian, you should read his letter to the Canadian people. Those last couple paragraphs are something:

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

So here's a big fucking hug to Libby Davies,

cow, and all the other people who felt like they got kicked in the chest this morning when they heard. Have a pint of Unibroue and some poutine for me and him, and hug your friends and families.