It isn't going to be easy for anyone but allowing our differences to continue to dictate attitudes and reactions will most assuredly make the tasks ahead more difficult. It's time we all faced reality  and accepted that the only way out of this mess  is working together. Any thinking adult must realize this and quickly. Its a time to stand together and silence once and for all the divisions which are eroding our societies as we all face this very serious financial crisis with which we are confronted.

No one asks that we stop believing in our value systems or faith but we do need to respect one another's right to their beliefs as well. We are not foes. We are all just people struggling to provide for our families and to maintain our way of life with some semblance of stability. The voices who still wish to divide must be ignored and seen as the destructive forces they are.

We are fortunate in that the new leader of the Free World epitomizes that change. And shows signs of being a brilliant man with the potential to  take on the job of steering this course correction, hazardous as it may be, to right the path we have been on for what seems like an eternity. BUt he cannot do this alone. He needs every single one of us, whether we supported his selection or not, to join him in this huge effort to steer our nations back on the right course. It is in our own best interests that everyone recognize this and join together to support him.

There are a multitude of problems both here at home and abroad with which he must cope, he most certainly doesn't need the impediment of a divided nation to act as a deterrent to those efforts. It's way past time  to set aside political ideologies or inbred prejudices for the sake of the common good.

You may ask, what is a Canadian doing addressing these issues. It's very simple. As the US goes so goes Canada. Our destinies are intrinsically intertwined. We may be separated by an invisible border but our financial systems are deeply intertwined. Our young men and women are dying on foreign soil along with yours. We are all "American". We share this continent. The United States may lay claim to that nomenclature but Canadians are a part of this beautiful continent called North America as well. We have a huge stake in what will transpire in the coming months and years. It's way past time to set aside differences and remember a united people cannot be defeated. A divided people have already lost.

It's time to grow up. Blunt ?... you bet it is. And if you question my right to speak up so be it. My grandchildren's futures dictate I can do no less. I am old enough that I remember what depression and world wars are like. It's time Americans remembered that being an American doesn't have regional boundaries or a God given imperative to dictate how others think and believe. Its time to live up to being American in the truest sense of the word.

For God's sake look around you. When was the last time you really appreciated just how fortunate we all are to have been given the many gifts we take so much for granted. We live on a continent rich in natural resources and wonders of nature which, if you take the time to even see them, are definitely  breathtaking. Granted we have done our level best to destroy much of her beauty but it does still exist despite our best efforts to lay waste to our inheritance. It's our sacred duty to preserve that bounty for our children before it ultimately is too late.

Allow me to share a parable with you which has always had particular meaning for me ....

[ A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream.The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food.The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him.She did so without hesitation.The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. 

"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone." ] 

The one chance we have now is to do it together. It may be our last chance. In the name of all that is sacred or worthwhile to you approach this coming year and the path ahead keeping in mind that each one of us can still make a difference. We can bring about the changes so desperately needed.

The operative phrase is 'as a united people'.