The government has just one job. It entails a great deal but its purpose is singular in nature.
Your government, whether local, regional or national, has one job and that is to be prepared.
Essentially the government needs to look at every eventuality under the sun and ask itself, “what if”. That is it folks.
What if there is a flood, food shortage, earthquake, tornado, hurricane, drought, international war that affects us? What if a former ally becomes your economic rival?
Yes governments study these eventualities, and possible scenarios through their intelligence gathering, media drops, schools of higher learning and scientific community.
Challenges appear daily yet many of these challenges can be foreseen if you are looking, are perceptive and observant. Most governments are too busy with their own pet projects to recognise the possible dangers that exist.
The pandemic could have been less destructive if the government responded quickly with available protective gear and protocols. Distance yourself – wear masks if with strangers and wash your hands right?
The Medical and Scientific Community had been warning of an imminent Pandemic for decades and our elected officials did not listen. They were too busy advancing their careers and spending taxpayers’ money elsewhere.
Instead of always “hoping for the best, they should have been preparing for the worst”! The worst happens but usually to other people in other locations around the world right?
Don’t worry, be happy is the motto of our government which is busy preparing for the next electoral race.
Ontario’s government handed out over a billion dollars to EV Enterprise so battery and vehicle plants would be built. Did they take into account what would happen when these enterprises closed shop and went elsewhere?
Did they have contracts protecting the peoples’ investments, alternate jobs for the recently unemployed? What if these corporations take the money and run, as they have done in certain cases? “What if” demands of the government is not a responsible planned response. Most governments simply do not take this into account.
Maintain order, protect the electorate’s rights and promote the general welfare of its citizens. But what if? Our government fails in its response time most times. Dictatorships respond immediately when a coup or insurrection happens. Democracies move far slower putting the cost of a response before the electorates’ needs.
There are plans of action capable of fighting forest fires, stopping floods and saving lives. The problem that we are having is funds are limited, or so the politicians will tell us. Spending trillions of dollars on armaments, scientific programs studying other planets but find money for our essential servants, programs that will save lives it’s not a deal.
Democracy’s greatest weakness is its inability to manage those who lead us. The “leadership” spends on projects that only present them in a very good light. If it does not have political sex-appeal it will not happen.
What are your expectations folks? Are you happy with your governmental responses and services? Is it not the government’s job to save us from ourselves?
Folks think about it, gather your thoughts and then do something about it.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario