What is with this nation and its sense of justice? Are we a nation of excuse-makers?
More and more these days, people are railing against the absence of justice. We are frustrated by how people are committing assault, even sometimes killing people, and getting reduced or nonexistent sentences. We look at child molesters and how they get 2 year conditional sentences or probation, then go out and molest again. It frustrates us, makes us angry, but ultimately there is only one reason this happens.
We are excuse-makers.
We allow ridiculous defences, based on the fact that people are products of their environment, genetics, etc. Yes, it is true that people are affected by these things. But society is and HAS TO BE based on the assumption that we have choice and determine our own actions. We have to be responsible for our actions or everything falls apart. We must be held accountable or all is chaos.
We all are ranting and raving about how our federal government is not stepping down, about how they are not being responsible. We have allowed this, systematically though over time. What this post is realyl about though is not how our government is not owning up to its crimes but about how another major figure in this country’s political scene is considering re-entering politics. His name is Svend Robinson.
A couple years ago, this lawyer from Vancouver was a major figure in Canada. He lobbied fiercely and affected all kinds of change in Canada. He was a figurehead and spearheaded all kinds of lobbies from the gay lobby to environmentalism. However, he was caught on tape, stealing a 50 thousand dollar ring. He resigned in disgrace.
Immediately the excuses began. He claimed he was suffering through an emotional time. He claimed that he had a problem and was seeking treatment. He finally stepped down from his position in government, to “get his life in order”. Poor Svend. He has it tough.
HE STOLE A $50000 ring for crying out loud! I don’t see anyone else getting away with this! If he was so mentally unstable that as a fixture in government and a model for citizens for upholding the law, he could reason for ONE SECOND that it was ok to steal such a thing, what other thought processes of his were twisted or marred? How many other major political decisions and activities were as ill-advised as this one? Yet, none of this was called into question - like he simply had a momentary lapse of reason.
And now, he comes out and says he was mentally ill. The previous day, another report says he is considering a political comeback. I am sorry, but there is something seriously wrong with a nation that would allow someone who is self-admittedly mentally ill to become a part of government. But beyond that, even if it was not true, does it make the slightest bit of sense that a man who is capable of making such a faulty decision should be in government?
I am mad enough that he was not seriously punished for such a massive crime. I am even madder that he actually has a chance at rejoining our government after committing such crimes. This laundry list from Macleans, summarizing some of the biggest crimes involving politicians in Canada includes Svend’s theft, unmathed by any other politician ever. What is particularly telling though is that none of the others on this list were able to return to politics.
