I don’t know about you, but I’m
tired of hearing the President of the USA described as the leader of the free
world. I didn’t vote in the US election;
there was no world-wide election! I live
in Canada and vote here. Why do we
persist in this ridiculous notion that the President of the USA is the leader
of the free world?
Every country in the world has a
responsibility both to its own citizens and to other countries. Each nation holds others accountable for
actions taken or not taken. No one
leader can achieve world peace; it takes all leaders willing to come together. In the mix of protecting national security
and being responsible to other nations, we find a way forward that is just.
No leader can be the leader of the
free world simply because there is always vested national interest that gets in
the way. Perhaps if we had a world
government and we all voted on a leader or an executive, then a case could be
made for a leader of the free world. And
in a very real way, the Secretary-General of the UN is the de facto leader of
the free world.
I’m also weary of hearing about President
Donald Trump more generally. Much of the
world interest in Trump has become simply voyeurism. We want to see a spectacle, and certainly
Donald Trump is providing that. But
there are other issues with which we need to spend our energy and time.
Climate Justice is a key issue here
in Canada with PM Trudeau backing away from some Paris Agreement
commitments. Poverty here in Canada
continues to be incredibly high and the gentrification of our communities an
important concern. The relationship with
1st Nations people is a key issue with many of the recommendations
of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission needing attention; Grassy Narrows is
back in the news because of environmental toxins remaining in the river—they cannot
eat the fish and practice their culture without getting sick! The backlog of refugees waiting to come to
Canada, especially from Africa, is a black mark in our history of refugee
sponsorship. Race concerns here in
Canada are prevalent, and the recent racist violence against Muslims is deeply
alarming.
As the past Moderator of our United
Church said at the Epiphany Explorations conference in Victoria this past
January, “Enough of Donald Trump! We have
enough to do in our country, not to mention the world. Let us put our energy to positive use to
create change.” (I’m paraphrasing, but
her words drew a loud applause!)
I’d rather not react against the
president, or our PM for that matter. I stand
for love and justice. I stand with my
kin from around the world… for clean water, for climate justice, for a good standard
of living for all, for a guaranteed annual income, for a distribution of wealth
that is just, for relationships that are life giving across cultures.
Peace to you!
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