I very much liked "the gap between what we know should be done and what is actually done is large. And the reason for that isn’t a lack of knowledge or a lack of shared goals. It’s a lack of political will." I agree. So if we are in agreement that political will is the crux of the problem. We must come to an understanding of what shifts political will. It seems to me, by the general unfairness in spending on older Vs. younger generations in most government budgets, that the politicians understand very much that it is the older (historically larger) segment of the voters that they want to please. They are confident that these people will be returning in droves to the polls and they are happy to keep them more than comfortable in their retirement at the expense of younger and future generations. The older people attend political events, they call their MPs and MLAs, they organize against the high rise buildings in their cherished neighbourhoods. Politicians, as Generation Squeeze has always said "respond to those who organize and show up". We have to find a way to convince people to organize and SHOW UP!! And showing up is more than just voting. The university students, the single moms without childcare, the 30 year olds who can't afford to move out of their parents' home; What will convince them to use their voice? Because when you talk to those people they are frustrated to no end yet doing very little to advocate for their needs and the needs of their children.
I very much liked "the gap between what we know should be done and what is actually done is large. And the reason for that isn’t a lack of knowledge or a lack of shared goals. It’s a lack of political will." I agree. So if we are in agreement that political will is the crux of the problem. We must come to an understanding of what shifts political will. It seems to me, by the general unfairness in spending on older Vs. younger generations in most government budgets, that the politicians understand very much that it is the older (historically larger) segment of the voters that they want to please. They are confident that these people will be returning in droves to the polls and they are happy to keep them more than comfortable in their retirement at the expense of younger and future generations. The older people attend political events, they call their MPs and MLAs, they organize against the high rise buildings in their cherished neighbourhoods. Politicians, as Generation Squeeze has always said "respond to those who organize and show up". We have to find a way to convince people to organize and SHOW UP!! And showing up is more than just voting. The university students, the single moms without childcare, the 30 year olds who can't afford to move out of their parents' home; What will convince them to use their voice? Because when you talk to those people they are frustrated to no end yet doing very little to advocate for their needs and the needs of their children.