The G20/G8 Cost: Why Such Disgust?Why are we so petty and critical? Are we happy with the other events the government is financing (which aren't even in Canada)? This is where I don't quite understand -- or probably understand rather well -- the popular Canadian opposition to anything that perceptually does not benefit the "average" Canadians directly. Which is understandable I guess and aptly demonstrates how isolated, if not myopic, comfortably North-American-ly snuggled and out-of-touch the larger Canadian public opinion machinery is in relation to the 'outside' world. Even people I speak to, or hear on the subway or in general, seem to be quite disgusted -- disgusted! -- with the expenses. Why is everyone so appalled? Isn't hosting a summit, and all that comes with it, a responsibility for having a membership in a select group of countries? If the same country like ours that pays a hefty price for other such 'membership' commitments like NATO for even more absurd 'events' that are being 'held' in far away lands that aren't even remotely relevant (only made politically relevant through relentless justification because of resulting human costs and our created 'belief' of it being a 'war') to the Canadian national security, why not spend something on our own cities and people? The summit at least, unlike other 'events' on the other side of the world, has created jobs back home, has improved infrastructure for the participating neighbourhoods, created a sense of excitement amongst a relatively news-starved nation. Heck it may even raise Canada's profile at least for a week or so in the world. Why such petty disgust over artificial lakes or security? Where's the decency, the grace of being a generous host fitting for a country of such wealth as Canada? Yes, it is still a rich country, if anyone missed the irony of G8 in the first place. Labels: Politics |
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