Why I’ll Happily Hug You This Christmas
By: Sarah Climenhaga
Tags: Political Leadership, Covid 19 Crisis, Hugging, Holidays, Environmental Issues

There have been many instances in the past where I’ve vehemently disagreed with government policy, but I’ve been pro government my whole life — pro taxation, pro public spending, and generally accepting regulations and intrusions on personal freedom that are done for the common good.

My faith in the idea of government remains, but my belief in the democracies we now have, and the ability of our leaders to make good decisions has been faltering since I ran for municipal and then federal office.

Over the course of my political campaigns, and in the debates I participated in, I saw from the inside how the media rewards theatrical divisive conduct, wealth, and established political ties, and why, under such pressures, the most successful candidates can only be those with some combination of all three. The ability to thoughtfully consider evidence, ignore vested interests, and make courageous decisions in the public good, are not in any way a requirement to win an election.

In times of calm, the competency of our leaders in these areas is less important, since the large network of civil servants, each with their own expertise, are rowing the ship of society, and able to keep it afloat in smooth waters. However, in times of crisis, where the ship will run aground without a good captain guiding the way, the failures in leadership have drastic consequences for all on board.

We are in a time of crisis right now — in two crises actually. The most notable and reported one is the COVID-19 phenomenon, which threatens lives (the number of which varies depending on which models and statistics you look at). The second crisis is the ever growing wave of destructive material consumption, that threatens not just hundred of thousands, or even millions of our own lives, but those of our children and grand-children, as well as countless other plant and animal species.

I see our leaders ignoring our basic needs for clean water, air, food and the diverse variety of non-human life that is required to sustain our life support systems. Our leaders vote to allow, and in many cases financially subsidize industry over people, like valuing industrial clear-cutting instead of small scale sustainable forestry or water poisoning resource industries over access to clean water. Our leaders allow food production to be taken away from small farmers, and land from indigenous peoples, hunters and foragers and into the hands of food conglomerates and commodities brokers. They encourage political divisions on everything from pipelines to immigration to promote political gains. In short, they are failing us all.

So when we confront the challenges posed by COVID-19, do our leaders proceed with swift action to change the conditions that have worsened public health in recent years, that would give us the resilience and strength to combat viruses, and provide the social supports that would help protect the vulnerable whose bodies aren’t strong enough to withstand a viral assault? Do they perform a comprehensive cost benefit analysis to determine which actions would have both short term and long term effects on reducing mortality? From what I have seen, the answer is no.

Instead, our leaders take draconian action, on a global scale, to restrict freedom, break human connection between friends and family, and require face coverings on everyone from 3 year old children to those with severe health conditions. Many leaders are poised to remove medical freedom from competent individuals who wish to have a choice over which drugs are injected in their bodies.

As a thinking human being I believe in my right, and the rights of others, to inform themselves and make decisions about their own personal health. My own experience, and the research I have done and continue to do, (and I encourage you to do your own), shows me little to no evidence that wearing a random piece of fabric over my face outside of a clinical setting, avoiding my friends and family, staying away from neighbourhood businesses, and taking poorly tested drugs will benefit either myself and my family or the vulnerable people who are suffering in a hospital or long term care home.

Our government leaders are asking for obedience at a level far beyond what I have experienced in my own lifetime. Since I have seen that time and time again our leaders have acted against the public interest in the past, I must question if the draconian actions they are taking now are truly for the public good.

I know it is possible to have a human society that supports and embraces humans and all life on this planet. Once I see my leaders acting in a way that is truly in the public interest, providing unbiased and unfettered access to information about their decisions, and encouraging participation from the populace in all aspects of public and political life, I will be glad to embrace the direction we will choose to take together. But when hugs are banned and family gatherings verboten, yet mingling with strangers at big box stores is allowed, I will challenge the government directives. So if you want a hug, I am here with open arms.