As I sit here on this snowy old day, I can’t help but wonder where our country is headed. It’s an old man’s habit, I suppose… watching, thinking, shaking my head at the way things are unfolding in this old world of ours. And right now, what’s on my mind is the way our money moves, the way decisions are made, and the way we’re told that “Canada is giving” this or that to another country while things right here at home seem to slip through the cracks.

But let’s be real for a moment. Canada… the land itself, the people who live and work and raise families here…. isn’t making these choices. It’s not as if your neighbor, the truck driver, the farmer, or the retiree down the street was consulted before the headlines rolled out. It’s not Canada opening its wallet… it’s a handful of individuals in power, making decisions as if they carry the will of an entire nation in their briefcase.

“Canada is sending millions to X country.” “Canada is providing aid to Y nation.”

No, Canada isn’t. A select few in government are. And they sure don’t ask the rest of us first.

Now, before someone gets their wires crossed, this isn’t about turning our backs on those in need. There’s a place for helping others, sure enough. But what gets me is how we’re all swept up into these decisions without so much as a whisper of consultation. They don’t say, “The ruling party has decided to send X amount to Y country.” That would be more honest, wouldn’t it? Instead, they drape the whole nation in the act, whether we agree or not.

And it’s not just here in Canada... it’s happening all over. Governments throwing money around like confetti at a parade, while the folks footing the bill… everyday people… are left wondering why their own backyard is being neglected. You don’t have to look far, to see the cracks forming: struggling healthcare, infrastructure that’s falling apart, veterans left in the cold, and families stretching every dollar just to get by.

So maybe it’s time for a shift in language, a little truth in advertising. When a government decides to spend billions elsewhere, let them own it. Let them say, “This party is sending your money here.” Because then, maybe… just maybe—people will start paying attention to who’s making these choices, and what it really means for the country they call home.

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW