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I am deeply troubled by the recent lockout of railway employees and the prospect of a strike by those same employees for obvious reasons; damage to Canadians and the Canadian economy would be devastating. Why is this happening?
Rather than attempt to answer the question, I am writing to make an appeal for a much-needed debate on finding a consensus for the common good for Canadians and for Canadian society. I argue that presently, we lack any concept of this important social value.
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Further, I argue that this loss, combined with our headlong pursuit of individual interests, is the basis of the degradation of nearly if not all of our social systems like health care, public education, climate health.
What started out as worthy pursuit has mushroomed into a free-for-all in which there are no recognized or agreed-upon guard rails.
There is a widespread lack of commitment to the common good due to our plurality, the willingness of too many of us accept the benefits of such programs, while demonstrating an unwillingness to share the cost.
And, finally, failure to recognize that, at times. there is a need for an unequal sharing of the burden of maintaining this yet to be defined common good.
The present combatants in this current labour dispute appear to be acting as if there are no guard rails limiting their respective pursuit of self-defined objectives. The absence of a defined and agreed upon “common good” is leading us into anarchy,
Don Barss, Saskatoon
Montreal CFL air horns show lack of class
I just watched Montreal host Edmonton in a CFL game and I came away with another headache from the fan use of air horns. The use of air horns is like booing an athlete who is, say, shooting a free throw or kicking a field goal. I think it is poor sportsmanship. It also takes away from the unique Canadian football game.
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I am surprised that the City of Montreal does not confiscate these unsportsmanlike devices. I am also surprised that the sports commentators do not complain because their comments are drowned out. I am almost to the point of turning off the sound while a team other than Montreal has the ball.
Al Ritchie, Saskatoon
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