It is the yuletide and the nights are long and the days cold. Hasn’t it been an exceptionally greedy year, this year? What? Greed isn’t part of Christmas? Is that new? Unfortunately probably not. But in Ontario and even Canada at large, we are seeing an increase in the “give me” ‘s. From teachers to hockey players, owners of teams and heads of Ministries, the hands are extended out fully and the fingers are even wiggling a little. Every group gives lip service to “we are doing this for the good of the whole”, but I have to admit, I don’t believe it. And I believe in Santa!
I have listened to commercial after commercial that profess that whatever agency has their hands out and fingers waggling, are doing it for the rest of us. With the teacher’s union, it is the tagline “if we don’t stand up against unfair legislation, what does that teach your children?” I don’t know….if you don’t like it, you don’t have to do your full job anymore. Same philosophy as “I’m taking my ball and going home.” The real issue, the loss of banking sick days for indeterminate time periods and the right to be able to strike, is being lost in the muddying of the political waters. “It is for the children”, is the rally cry. If the lesson was to teach my kids that money is the most important factor in education, considered lesson learned! Teachers did not put comments on report cards because the union suggested it. But it wasn’t mandated. So it was done, I assume, at the discretion of the individual. And I applaud those who “took the road less travelled” and actually completed the report cards in the manner they should be. Because, when I was in a class, I didn’t have a “choice” in filling out report cards. It was part of the job. Or so I mistakenly thought. And the call to work to rule? Only a week old. So why were there no clubs, organizations, assemblies since September? Oh….just because. So glad I am using my tax dollars to teach my kids that doing a job to the very best of your abilities is for dummies! “Gimme more”. That should be the battle cry of our children!
Not the private sectors should be so proud! The best example is the greed of the hockey players and owners this yuletide. When did anyone think playing hockey would be a career that would last over 10 years? In the old glory days of hockey, when men didn’t seem to care they had all their teeth, hockey players, even the top ones, had jobs (gasp) in the off-season. They were barely paid enough to live, but they lived to play. Now….if I’m not bring a million dollar salary, I can’t live like that! And the prices at the arenas have blown up! A regular person cannot afford to take a family to a NHL game anymore. From the concession prices to the very ticket cost itself, it has become something for the “well-to-do”. So…what did that teach my kids. Well….money is a VERY important thing. It outstrips anything you may love doing. Money is what makes our world go round. Gimme more.
So, should we really be concerned as parents and citizens of this great land by this bowing to the almighty dollar at this time of year? The YouTube videos of children having shocking meltdowns because they didn’t get what they wanted when they wanted it? Or not as many as they would like. “Gimme more”. I guess not. They are only following the examples of their heroes.
Good thing the colours of Christmas are already green and red. If you don’t see more green, you will soon be seeing red! Ah….greed at its finest!!
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