The Ostrich Syndrome...

THE OSTRICH SYNDROME
A political commentary by
Victor Drummond ©
January 2008

There is a saying to the effect -- that when confronted
with a perceived threat -- of any kind – the Ostrich
will bury it’s head in the sand in the belief that
what they can’t see – can’t hurt them.


Although any normal adult would immediately recognize that ignoring a problem --by burying one’s head in the sand – does nothing to solve any issues.

Issues which may grow larger, nearer, and eventually bite one in their exposed regions.

Yet many Canadian politicians practice the Ostrich syndrome by either responding to appeals for justice -- with a cookie cutter reply – and then passing the buck to another Member of Parliament – who repeats the tactic OR just plainly ignoring the appeal for help completely.

The bottom line with either tactic has been to play dead and hope the complaining victim(s) become frustrated and go away.

Most of the time this Ostrich tactic works in favour of the politician(s) and the people they are elected to represent go on being abused by government mandarins who apply legislative regulations – both good and bad -- with robotic compassion and efficiency.

Canadians are usually slow to condemn anyone for their poor performance and they take a a terrific amount of intellectual abuse -- from their politicians -- before they finally decide enough is enough.

We collectively forgive our elected politicians when they promise the moon – to get our votes – and deliver dung after they are elected. When the next election comes along many of us still vote for the dung crowd.

It is no wonder then that our elected representatives feel safe in ignoring the distress – and appeals for relief -- of any minority of Canadians.

But they seldom miss an opportunity for a photo shoot -- when they visit our troops in Afghanistan – or when the government donates money, clothing, shelter, food etc. to hapless victims in far off places.

I wonder how – our political leaders -- would respond if when visiting our soldiers in Kandahar and while facing media cameras – a soldier asked what that specific politician was planning to do for the taxable benefit victims back home?

Do you suppose any one of them would commit to doing anything? Would any one of them just ignore the question – and try to have that scene edited out of the news film sequence?

From the ostrich principle they practice -- off camera here in Canada -- trying to have the question sequence edited out of the news film best fits the established pattern.

Does everyone assume that Canadians collectively are all walking on streets paved with gold?

That if a few, (one is too many), are bled dry of their financial resources it really doesn’t matter to anyone else?

It does matter. Not only to those victimized – but to all Canadians.

Your RIGHTS to a fair and equal treatment under the law are abrogated by the defective taxable benefit legislation which has been misused repeatedly to tax non-existent “Income”.

Wake up Canadians – get involved – demand your Member of Parliament state a position supporting REAL Fair and Just taxation for all Canadians.

Do not vote for anyone who will not commit to timely and true implementation of Fair Taxation for all Canadians – whether they belong to your favourite political party or not.

Anyone who will not commit to correcting this abuse – of you and your fellow Canadians – most definitely does not deserve your support. Voting for them without demanding real representation -- and protection from abuse -- merely encourages them to do less and expect more.

If no one running for office -- in the coming Federal Election – will commit to correcting this defective legislation and restoring Fair Taxation to those already victimized – then register your protest by using my name as a write-in candidate on your ballot.

A protest vote will make it clear to all running for office – you demand proper representation – and you won’t settle for dung any longer.

Victor Drummond ©