True patriotism stems from a commitment to the ideals of a country, not to petty partisan loyalties that confuse hurt individual pride with actual national interests.
And while it's true that governments, even democratic ones, often fall short of our lofty expectations, that should not deter us from pursuing the moral obligation of every generation, which is to work to leave the world better than we found it.
I admit that lately the rhetoric between Canada and the U.S., perhaps more so on one side than the other, has been hurtful, but I would urge readers to see past the political bombast.
Economics is a complicated business. Not even the most esteemed economists can fully claim to understand the dismal science and even they would admit that fundamentally theirs is a philosophical endeavour. How else could one argue what the proper system of distributing goods, services, and wealth should be? Whatever your stance on the merits of managing the supply of Canadian milk, the fact remains that both countries believe it's in their interest to preserve a bilateral relationship centered on trade and cooperation on transnational security matters. Our businesses still profit from one another and our soldiers continue to fight, bleed, and die together. When all is said and done, the U.S. and Canada have more similarities than differences, especially when compared to the rest of the world. Let us not forget that amidst all the political spin.
It is on this basis, both moral and practical, that I can emphatically state that my continuing love of America is a good thing for Canada because it strengthens my commitment to preserving the Canadian democratic experiment which, like America's, proposes that governments of the people, by the people, and for the people still represent humanity's best hope for achieving an ever more prosperous and just society.
The proper way to voice dissent is to participate in the democratic process (that means vote!) and encourage others to do the same. Stay informed and stand up for your principles.
Doing so is good for Canada, the United States, and democracy everywhere.
Ignacio Albarracin
Prince George
