conversations, meditations, reflections
Posts tagged Canadian politics
Small l liberalism, autonomy, freedom, equality, liberty… semantics
Nov 7th
June 18, 2009
Good morning, Lord! The sun is shining and the temperature rising – even as the rain water is still dripping from the roof, the air smells so fresh, and the temperature inside is just 19 C in my room, and 18 C in my son’s room – hasn’t been that cool for ages! Wow! Yay! Have to close the doors and windows and curtains tight to trap the cool air inside, for sure!
I woke at 6 and was going to leap out of bed to rush downstairs and make rice pudding for breakfast (planning to take the bread pudding to coffee time)… when I suddenly remembered to give the day to You (and especially the coffee time) and ask You if there is something You’d really want me to make for coffee time … and then I went downstairs and made lemon loaf!
Last night on CBC I was listening to a guy being interviewed on what small-l, classical liberalism is, and he said it is all about autonomy – and equality, insofar as that is “feasible.” He went on for some time about autonomy, by which he meant personal autonomy, each individual’s opportunity to make one’s own decisions and plans and so on, unimpeded by enforced direction and by limits imposed by outside agencies – particularly the forces of state and church (aka religion) – especially when they are working together! (He also said those were the two “enemies” of liberalism in the last 18th and early 19th centuries when it was emerging in Europe, in its forms of rationalism and romanticism and free market economics and so on). He says that church and state are no longer the main enemies of liberalism in North America (and Europe, I presume), and he even advocates greater government “direction” in certain areas such as banking, in light of the recent economic difficulties: it turns out, apparently, that liberals were a little overly-romantic about their ideals, not factoring in certain realities about humanity… realities which he neglected to elaborate on, hmmmm….!)
So I just thought of all that when I was writing about asking Father what to make for coffee time! I’ve no doubt the guy on the radio would find me hopelessly – well, non-small-l-liberal (at least according to his preconceived notions: oddly enough, in terms of autonomy, he advocates freedom vs liberty, feeling that liberty implies freedom within the constraints of certain [usually state and/or religion enforced] boundaries, whilst freedom is, apparently, more, well, free! Actually I do understand, at least somewhat, the distinction he is making – and I would imagine he would see New Testament-defined “liberty” and “freedom” as, at best – in his terms – a rather narrowly prescribed “liberty” … although I believe that, if he really explored the NT concepts of those terms, he’d be forced to see an incredible freedom… but one which, clearly, would not fit into his preconceived notions, and which he would be forced to reject in order to maintain his viewpoints/ notions of freedom, liberty, autonomy (and “feasible” equality…), or else he would be forced to take a very radical turn in his ideas….
… into a different liberalism – a liberalism which I find far more in Jesus’ teaching than the “conservatism” which he, and the vast majority of small-l-liberals, and indeed a great majority of (North American, at least) “Christians” and “churches” consider to be the opposite and only other choice (and which, if a great many “Christians” and “churches” and “para-church organizations” had their choice, would once again unite “state and church” into a governmental monolith, to oppose and over-run the whole “upstart” (despite its centuries-long history) liberal viewpoint.
Well, I am really finding this intriguing… and I want to explore it further, Papa, Jesus, Holy Spirit. I want to see what You really taught about these so-called liberal notions (autonomy, equality, freedom, liberty) and how they worked out in practical terms in Your own life here on earth, Jesus, and in the life of Your church … because it seems to me, even as a write this (this is all quite new to me! I set out this morning to carry on from our chat yesterday… which I also want to explore further… and I believe it is You who took me down this path… I’ll be interested to see Your purposes down the road, eh)…. Anyway, it seems to me that Your way is not the way of the supposedly democratic, liberal/conservative divide, but of a new way, a higher way, in which the idealistic notions that drive these movements find a greater and infinitely higher and purer level, not only idealistically, but in reality – amazingly, eternally!
But it is 7:02 am and I have to finish the lemon loaf and get hubby his breakfast.
Oh Papa, I wonder what adventure You are leading me into with all this! Wow! My eyes are wide open with wonder and anticipation just now! Yay!
Amen! Thank You, Papa, Jesus, Holy Spirit (ha! a lot of folks would be thinking this is all decidedly non-spiritual, and couldn’t be from You… I think they are wrong… You were very political: or at least You and Your kingdom sure “threatened” and raised the ire of the state/religious politicos of Your day…).
But it is 7:05 am and I have to stop!
(Yesterday I was feeling tired, even bored… I wonder where You are taking me, eh, on this new path of thought? To Your Word, fast! Led by Your Spirit (in Your liberty), please! Thank You!)
…. So we had the bread pudding for breakfast. Took the lemon loaf to coffee time – but didn’t get there till 8 am and I guess a lot of people had already come and gone, so only a little of one loaf was used. Put the rest in the freezer there, and brought the second one home. Oh, got my Rabbits and Elephants book back from J. And saw Pastor P in front of Tim’s but he was talking to someone so I just waved.
It was sunny in the morning but clouded over by later morning, and finally rained again late afternoon, never did get very warm.
I made green salad and bread for lunch. Watched a bit of TV, then spent a lot of time in the afternoon looking at all the Real Estate company listings for our town, and even some for the surrounding communities. The prices are higher and the choice and quality (for the price) lower than Campbell River. (I just told hubby about a local job application I filled out, and he prayed that Your will be done. I agree! Thank You!).
I am so tired. I’m going to hit the sack early. Maybe it’s just the gray raining weather getting to me. My laziest day in ages! Yikes!
I’m back! Proud to be a Canadian? ummm…
Dec 3rd
I have just turned off the TV – today’s Question Period live from our beloved Parliament – as I am almost ashamed to be a Canadian, seeing the self-power-centered circus that our just-elected politicians are putting on for the entertainment (or dismay) of the entire world.
So I have done my civic duty, and written to the Governor General to express my opinion (although I – and millions of other Canadians – expressed it just a few weeks ago). I am not going to ramble on about this issue, but am simply posting that letter here:
Her Excellency
the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Governor General of Canada
Excellency,
As a Canadian citizen and active voter, I wish to express my opinion on the question of replacing the results of a duly called election, just six weeks ago, with an upstart “coalition” of the parties whom the Canadian people clearly indicated they do not feel are worthy of governing at this time.
Personally, I am not a party-bound voter. I cast my ballot after careful consideration of the policies and platforms of the different parties, the reputations and experience of the candidates running locally, the needs of the nation of Canada at the current time, the past behavior of both parties and candidates, and so forth. Therefore, I assure you, I am not simply writing this letter because I think one party is superior to another. I am writing because I cannot accept an underhanded “power grab” when the Canadian people have just spoken clearly on their preference for present governance of the nation.
It seems clear that this proposed coalition is not, as is claimed by its signatories, in the interests of the Canadian people in the face of a national and international economic crisis. Rather, more and more evidence points to a plan that has been in the works for an extended period of time to overthrow the will of the people, if that will should not be in the personal interests of the three parties to the proposed coalition.
Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to imagine how three parties with such divergent political ideals could have any hope of actually working together for even 18 months, never mind for the four years it is hoped a federal government should be in power. It is only by, in effect, placing a “gag order” on the consciences and wills of the individual Members of Parliament (and thereby, on the millions of Canadian citizens whom they, as elected parliamentarians, are duty-bound to represent) that the leaders of the three parties have even been able to come to agreement on “working together” for this limited time period.
I am disappointed in the irresponsible and self-centered behavior of all of the political parties involved, both the governing party and the proposed coalition parties. I know you face a difficult decision; but in the end, you are Governor General of a nation that proclaims itself a democracy. Every Canadian school child is taught that democratic governance is “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Although a new general election, or at least a referendum, would be costly, and although with current economic conditions, time is of the essence, I believe that you really have only two choices: 1. accept the voice of the Canadian people as they have already spoken; OR 2. allow the Canadian people to speak again, as soon as possible.
I trust that your decision will be made purely on the behalf of the Canadian people.
Yours truly,
Norma J. Hill
