I’m a card carrying member of the Liberal Party… and yesterday I sat in tears at the news of Jack Layton’s passing.
He made me laugh. On Canada AM… singing to Mike Duffy and doing the weather report. On Rick Mercer and 22 Minutes… leaving me in stitches at the antics of the interviewers but even more by his answers and their reactions to his response. During debates… putting other leaders to task with his wit, charm and brilliance.
He made things “real”… took the politics out of politics… and made me understand what it was I was blindly agreeing and disagreeing with.
My brother was a friend of Mr. Layton’s and in one of our “you should vote NDP” conversations, I told him I believed in the platform I was voting for… but sure wished Jack was our leader.
Jack was dedicated to our country. How sad it is that he’s no longer here with us to share his vision… to question other politicians… make them accountable… continue to encourage our young people… challenge us… and yes, to possibly someday lead the country.
It doesn’t matter what political party you are affiliated with… Jack made you think. I didn’t always agree with what he said and changes he wanted to make… but he believed in our country… he wanted better for the people of Canada… he wanted the people of Canada to want better for themselves.
Yesterday was a very sad day for our country.
I will miss you Mr. Layton… your smiling face, your twinkling eye, your made up songs, your laughter and foolishness. I will miss watching you in a debate and the way you made me second guess some of the things I believed. I will continue to question what I believe in for you, for me, for my children and for the future of our country.
Your final words… “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.”
We’ll change the world…
Rest in peace.
Well said,Colleen! You have put many of my thoughts into beautiful words! Thank you.
Mary
Beautiful words! I love what he wrote about love and hope and optimism…that's what politics should really be about.
Two thumbs up for this post. What you said is so true…no matter what party you voted for, Jack Layton made you smile, laugh, and really think about what you were voting for. He was a diamond in the rough. It truly is a loss for all Canadians.