So far in 2015 we have a number of political fusses locally (Mt. Polley) provincially (Site C, budget cuts) and federally (too many to list). I have questions about political decision making.
If politicians feel strongly about an issue for whatever reason, be it for the good of the nation, party policy, or personal preference, should they barge ahead even if they know there could be unfortunate consequences in the long term? Business people have to cope on their own with the results of their mistakes. Politicians are often long gone when any kaka from their decision making hits the fan.
Even if they are still in office, they aren’t held personally responsible and the government (me and thee) has to pick up the pieces and bear any costs. If politicians, like business people, had to take some personal responsibility for any boneheaded decisions they might make, would they take a more comprehensive approach to decision making? Like considering long term impacts?
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In these days of electronic gismos, toys like Lego aren’t high on little folks’ agendas. None of my great grandchildren were excited about the box of Lego I had leftover from their dad’s. The Lego just took up space until I visited GS #4 one day recently. He and his roommates are gamers. They have a table with weird looking creature thingies on it and some strange structures made of — guess what — Lego. They were delighted when they heard of my collection and they were as pleased to get it as I was to give it. It did strike me odd that hulking male adults are interested in the tiny play blocks when my small relatives are not.
The thing I remember about the Lego when my boys had them is that some always got loose and wandered around on the floor. I can remember the pain of stepping on one with a bare foot which happened more than once.
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.
