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Senior Correspondent

Giving Thanks: A Canadian Perspective

Giving Thanks: A Canadian Perspective

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Thanksgiving in America is a much bigger deal than it is above the 49th parallel. The days surrounding the holiday are the most travelled of the year. Families and friends come together to give thanks. Strangers wish you, “Happy Thanksgiving!” Americans believe no one should be alone on this important day. I’m certain that is the reason my wife and I were invited to Thanksgiving dinner by people we barely knew.

After reflection of this nation’s celebration, I came to realize that Thanksgiving epitomizes America the Good. You see kindness in the people. That's not to say they are always civilized to one another, especially in political debate as we have all witnessed in months leading up to the election; right and left wing positions are as hardened as ever. Yet, apart from an insatiable race for the almighty buck, an infatuation with celebrities and a few other vices I need not mention, American values are admirable.  

This brings me to the tattered flag that hung in shame from my neighbor’s California beach house. Not only on the homeland, but throughout the world those stars and stripes have stood for American ideals such as liberty, happiness and equality for all. The red, white and blue rag that I saw every day was an outrage. Yet, I cannot avoid the tattered rag’s symbolism — that of a once great nation, now burdened by debt, unemployment, homelessness, and divisiveness. Any student of history will tell you that every great nation crumbles when it succumbs to complacency — when its leaders and its citizens forget that “privilege” does not mean “right.” Home ownership is an example of a privilege. Like most things in life, the harder you work for a privilege, the more you appreciate it.

Like a troubled company swimming in red ink, America has its work cut out for it. Politicians say they have the will but they seldom show the way. Maybe it is time to return to those old fashioned values, the ones that built this remarkable country in the first place — what harm could come from hard work, personal sacrifice and acceptance of responsibility? I have a hunch that bringing these values back into the family unit might be a heck of a good start for our friends south of the line.

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