Altered States - From Opportunity to Reality

In baseball jargon, let's try to go for the cycle. We started last week by talking about the realities of the post-World War Two generation and how we as a nation had lost much of our integral strength while slipping into a state of delusion. We then talked about moving from illusion to opportunity and how historically Canadians swung for the fences in larger national issues. Now it's time to consider how we might use our new-found opportunity to bring us back to reality.Consider the opportunities we presently have and what we've learned.

• politics at the federal level has become increasingly dysfunctional - a fact acknowledged by almost everyone except the odd politician
• we are now regionally dysfunctional. The West wanted in, is now government, and still feels on the outs. Central Canada is now out but feels it's still legitimately in. And the outlying regions, like eastern Canada and the great north, always feel on the fringe and know things won't change in the foreseeable future. This, too, is a reality now being explored across the country and a consensus is emerging that restoring this country to its potential will require all its parts.
• our modern citizenry has become dysfunctional and disengaged from the present political system. Many would rather blog that attempt to join and change the system; others avoid politics altogether, including the opportunity to vote; still others are sensing a growing anger that things just don't seem to be working. But it's becoming clear that our citizenry is falling into three general categories: 1) the frustrated, who vent against the system from without (blogs, websites, special interests); 2) those who are attempting to renew national politics by engaging in local riding association and political parties; and 3) citizens who are fully disengaged from anything political. Saddening as this is, energies are being brought to bear at various levels to deal with the dysfunctions.

The emerging desire to deal with our national dysfunction presents an opportunity to undertake serious issues. Things like Employment Insurance are vital in a seasonal economy like our own, but our efforts must now be placed upon transitioning to full-time jobs in the emerging green economy. And while we're at it, maybe at some point we can grow a consensus that will take the devastating costs of climate change seriously. Canadians increasingly respond to pollsters with concern that our country is losing its place in the world and a majority bemoan the yanking of humanitarian development funds from Africa. How will we re-engage? What is the future, if any, for peacekeeping? The very fact we know some kind of national discussion has to take place on such issues provides a glimmer of hope.Whatever the subject, initiatives must take place to deal with the three great dysfunctions listed above. Following the last great war, citizens wanted a greater part in the determination of our national future. The same is true today, but with trust lost for our great national institutions the work will prove more difficult. Yet such opportunities do exist. With the economic renewal taking place in regions like Newfoundland, and with the importance now being placed on the Arctic, the time might finally be coming when all of Canada finally matters. The West, as Preston Manning repeatedly acknowledges, must learn to compromise now that it is government. And Central Canada needs to acknowledge that Westerners have a point and represent vital contributions to our national life.I see certain glimmers of hope in these areas, but we are only at the beginning. Like those in Plato's cave, we have grown fascinated by the shadows dancing on the walls of our tribal caves. Yet it's outside those limiting confines where the true greatness of this country lies. We are tired of shadowland and it's time to emerge as the truly great country of the new millennium.