The Brits, they know a thing or two.

I think of myself as a socialist. It is the political state of mind that I can most identify with. And those to the south of us look up here and squirm at how socialist a state we are. But why do we have that reputation? Universal Healthcare? Is that it? Having spent the past week in England it hit me over and over again how much more we could be doing to take care of each other, but we just can't seem to get there.

Time and again, there were signs and advertisements and notices that were meant to impress upon the Brits where and how and why their taxpayers dollars were being spent. Construction on the Tube was plastered with the words "Updating YOUR Underground". Museums including the National Gallery and the Tate are all free admissions and historic sites and monuments are under a governmental umbrella called the "National Trust".  What all of these things say to me and, more importantly, the British public, is that these things *belong* to them. They're theirs. Yes that means that they need to be financially responsible for them, but in reciprocation they get to be proud of them all. That is an incredibly profound feeling, to feel like each individual contributes and so it's a part of them. Walking into Canterbury Cathedral or the Roman Baths, each and every Brit can hold their heads high and claim ownership. Those are their things. Their places, their history, their stories. 

When they introduced the National Health Service (socialized medicine) after WWII, it was communicated to them as something that was being done by each of them for each of them. It was explicitly expressed, that "this is not a charity, but is paid for through your taxes". I can only imagine what it would have been like trying to pick up the pieces after the Blitz had demolished so much of the country. I can see that they felt demoralized. Having just fought a losing battle for so long only to be ultimately "rescued" by the Yanks (and yes, us too), the British were not used to *not* being the super power. Collapse of the British Empire and all that. So to then have the government say, "Hey, we're going to pay for your doctors, because we know none of you can afford it right now", well, that's just another shot at their dignity, isn't it? That is exactly the feeling I imagine poor Americans who are still against medicare must have. It's about pride. Silly perhaps, but oh so powerful. 

So when it comes to "selling" socialism, the Brits seem to have it nailed. It really is all in the approach. Obama take note? Socialism is not about charity. It's not about the dole, although I know that conservatives' arguments against it are that they don't want to bleed and sweat for Mr. Lazy McLazerson to survive without bothering to get off the couch. I get that. I do. And while there are exceptions to every rule, I truly don't think that for most people, human dignity allows for that. Most people do not want to be charity cases. Most people do not want the hand-out. I certainly don't want to be in that position, ever! At the same time, I think it's crucial that we look at the big picture and make sure our society allows for doing what's Right and not solely what's most economical. Anyone who has a baby gets a year off work subsidized by the government. This is the Right thing to do, and no woman (or man) should ever feel guilty about it, because it is *their* right paid for in advance by deductions from their salaries. Healthcare is the same, as is EI and CPP.

These are things our forefathers fought long and hard for and I'm afraid that our complacency in difficult economic times means that we'll collectively forget how important these programs are. There are things that have been left to us in Trust from generations past to hand over to generations future. That trust is sacred. We need to somehow work it into the national psyche that we are here to take care of the future and that the present, well, is fleeting. I've been speaking of government programs, but of course it also applies to our historical monuments and above all, our environment which is perhaps the single greatest monument we have. Canada is still such a vast frontier. We really don't have any right to ruin this land for the sake of our own limited, immediate gains. 

I see what the Brits have done and I'm jealous. But they also have a lot of issues. Homelessness, public drunkenness, an expectation of the dole. I don't want that here. I want to see our social programs as therapy, and less like the permanent crutch it can turn into. Our programs need updating so that people don't get stuck in their dependancy. In all, though,we're doing okay. We're a fledgling little Constitutional Democracy, and we've done well by ourselves so far. I'm proud of that. However, we could still do so much more! Daycare, pharmacare, post-secondary, green industry, better transit, organic food, protected waters... there are so many more things we could do to make our lives better. So many more things that would help ease the burden on *all* of us. It wouldn't be charity. We'd pay for it. Through our taxes. They'd be ours. They'd belong to each and every one of us. Above all, they'd belong to the future.