I'm new here and this is my first diary so please be gentle with me. In the interests of full disclosure, I am a Canadian ( and proud of it man! ). But I love your country the way you love a best friend whom you've known since Kindergarten. I love your beautiful geography, your brave history and proud people. If you feel that as a Canadian, I have no right to comment on your affairs, I get it. I do not wish to offend anyone and will understand if you choose to read no further. However, if you are interested in the perspective of an outsider, please read on and I would welcome your comments.
Years ago, as a young high-schooler, just learning the horrible facts of the holocaust, Nazis and internment camps I was angry at the Germans. All of them. My mother told me that it was not all Germans who participated in the horror. That there were many good Germans who were sickened by what was happening. I asked her, "Then why didn't they speak up?". She thought for a minute and said "I guess they were afraid."
Years later I was having a conversation with a young relative shortly after the events of 9 11. He was angry with Muslims. All of them. I pointed out that the terrorists were a small number of people, that the vast majority of Muslims were good, decent people, who were as shocked and sickened as we were. And he asked, "Then why don't they speak up?" The only answer I could think of was my mother's -"I guess they are afraid."
Now I hear of some Republicans who want to let people die if they don't have health insurance. Who cheer for state executions. Who want to leave the elderly, the sick, the poor to fend for themselves. And I think that there are many good, decent Republicans ( and I have to believe that there are, they can't all be so evil ), who must be appalled and uncomfortable with all of this.
So my question is: "Why don't they speak up?"