The Scout motto has been “BE PREPARED”. That means that a Scout is to be in a state of readiness in mind and body to do their duty. Simple but so very profound indeed. A fictional character created by Lee Child also has a message of importance that we all need to hear today. That is simply “Hope for the best, but plan for the worst”. The wisdom offered to us by bright minds.
If we apply these two gifts of advice to politics, whether in the past, present or future, and we look at how our elected officials have performed, we can see none of them have been Scouts, Girl Guides, or readers of the author Lee Child.
For example, let’s look at how they responded to the pandemic, shall we? Warnings of such a pandemic have been historically recorded for many decades. The proof was in the pudding in fact. There was talk of a mass death event caused by influenza-like illnesses over a hundred years ago. It is not like these politicians did not have historical examples to base their preparation upon. The Spanish Death killed over a hundred million globally. Historical fact. Influenza itself kills millions across the globe annually. America, Russia, China, and other military establishments have been experimenting with making such illnesses into weapons for decades. What did our elected officials do? Not much.
Did they…
1. Make sure there were enough skilled staff trained and available at all times?
2. Make sure healthcare equipment was functional and not outdated.
3. Continue Public scientific studies into how to fight such illnesses?
4. Make sure senior homes do not become prison cells for seniors should a breakout happen. Make these homes climate controlled, with up to dated equipment and masks.
5. Education Centers are self-regulating and controlled, with no need to keep students home.
6. Not rely upon private concerns to provide lifesaving vaccines and antidotes.
In the region I live, politicians have been realizing these needs, but passing them onto the next administration with excuses like solving these problems costs too much money, the science is not here yet, and there is no need to prepare for something that most likely will not happen. Don’t they look the fools?
Millions have died and suffered because of the politician’s lack of interest, preparedness, and investment in community safety. Even when the pandemic came upon us, these politicians often denied the illness’s destructiveness like it was not important, an after though. Politicians lack what young Scouts and Guides have plenty of, namely imagination and courage. A Politician does not want to rock the boat and make their electorate concerned over things that probably won’t happen. Most of all politician lacks the understanding of why they are in the jobs they hold, which is “To Serve the Community”. Instead of hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, they do not act upon the needs of what can happen. Politicians are like Police lazy individuals. They lack imagination and foresight, seeing what is happening elsewhere, and preparing for its possible arrival upon their homeland’s shores. Politicians, like police, see usually a duck, hear the duck Qwak, and therefore assume it is a duck. It looks like suicide, there for it is a suicide, with no further investigation.
Politicians have known for many years about the missing Aboriginal Women, and the stories of abuse in government-managed schools., and yet they did nothing, hoping that the horrors of the past will not come to light. Politicians knew that Putin’s Russia would probably invade Ukraine. Did they prepare for such an event? Nope. Politicians react, and never knowingly respond. There are in most government vaults studies upon studies regarding all the possible things that could happen, and how to improve the community’s lot, and yet most studies remain hidden.
I live in a region where housing is essentially in dire need. Did the politicians know about this issue or about climate change? Of course, they did, and they did nothing of value to the community until the public pressured them to act. The officials spend our money Willy Nilly, making decisions that affect us behind closed doors. Responsibility, transparency, and most importantly accountability is truly lacking when one speaks about a politician. Elected or appointed for years, they become dictators, until election time reappears.
We need to be prepared for what’s coming folks. Weak economies, huge national debts, and an aging population reliant upon their unprepared national authorities to care for them. Poverty and racial and social struggles continue unabated while politicians make a good dough, fail to solve our national problems, and then off to the private sector they go. Who do these men and women really work for? They have a plan, and they’re not sharing it with us. If those in power are “not prepared”, who will suffer the wrath of our world? Like the person living on a flood plain, reality tells them one day the land will flood, and yet they do nothing, only to ask for our help when needed. A Crazy World.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
skaszab@yahoo.ca
