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Archive for the ‘Jack Layton’ Category

Jack Layton is a fine inspiration to me, so I have been emailing some friends around the world, and I am attaching Jack’s letter. His message to young Canadians especially speaks to me as my son is now becoming a young man.

A great Canadian, Jack Layton, died today, prematurely in the prime of his life and career at age 61, I would like you to know about him because I believe he is a true inspiration to well-meaning, active people everywhere, people like you and me.

He accomplished an unusual task in his final hours with his family and working friends gathered around – he wrote an inspiring last letter to his fellow Canadians. (I quote the last few paragraphs here, and leave a link to his full letter and to some reminiscences in our Press.)

Quote: “To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,
Jack Layton” Unquote

Reference

http://www.ndp.ca/

News

http://www.ctv.ca/

Editor: Thom Burlington
P.S. I had the great pleasure of attending a talk and meditation by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh last Sunday here in Vancouver. He spoke of Mindfulness, Right Speech, Deep Listening , and Reconciliation – another very fine epitaph for Jack Layton.