I am very disappointed that so many people, including yourself Andrew, have such an uninformed and disrespectful view of out government. A view by the way that is NOT representative of the majority of Canadians, who support the Queen.

The Queen is a powerful symbol of or Canada and is one of the founding principles of our great nation. It gives us a distinctive political system.

The monarchy is free of the taint of partisan politics. The Queen represents every individual in our country not just the cronnies of the political day. She provides us with a continuity and sense of tradition through changes in elected leadership.

The long and tierd argument that the queen is expensive is ridiculous. The costs associated with all her infrastructure amounts to approx $1 a year per citizen.
Too much you may say?
This is a cost made puny when compared to the costs associated with a President and the resulting Republic.
The monarchy through time has patronized many of our great institutions- hospitals, schools and much more. We get a great deal in return for our investment in the monarchy.

The queen is a restraint on excessive centralization.
Without her would everything be in Ontario?
This should be an important factor for us as Atlantic Canadians as we suffer more and more from the cenralization that has been a crippling influence on us since confederation.
Through history, times when we have had strong ties to England we, as a region, have had great influence.
Traditionally when central governance dominates we are marginalized.
The Queen’s restraint on centralization is one of the huge reasons Quebec supports the monarchy. Her sovereignty ironically protects their individuality. A republic endangers the
cultural uniqueness held so dear to Quebec.
The crown prevents the rights of the minority from being trampled by the majority.
We would be smart to remember this as a region.

The criticism that the Queen is not multicultural and is a foreigner also rings hollow.
The queen herself has blood lines from every continent on earth.
A foreigner?
She is a citizen of our country as much as I am. I dare say she has done more for our communities as a citizen than most of us.

Most of the stable and prosperous countries in the world are constitutional monarchies (most notable exceptions are US and France). Many of the most unstable countries in the world are republics.

Elitist? Perhaps? But isn’t it a good kind of Elitism?
The Monarchy reminds us that we belong to a dignified social and political community.
From the monarchy should spring a sense of personal loyalty, and honorable behavior.
The monarchy helps us mark collective anniversaries and supports the bestowal of honors.
These cocktail parties and cotillions you elude to are for all of us.
Many of the celebrations at Government House are public and many private functions are given in honor ordinary folks who have had the vision to do extraordinary things.
Should we not support and honor courage, perseverance and excellence?

One major thing I do have a problem with is who and how the honor of GG and LG are given. This, in recent times, has been a frank political plum given as patronage and is not a monarchy problem but one of the machinations of partisan politics.
The LG and GG should be, by definition, free of political ties and indeed should be a leader in the community who most exemplifies the values of our nation.

The Queen was born to her job. In fact, in this way she is quite ordinary.
Should this not be an inspiration?
A person, any person, through accident of birth can become a leader.
She is just a person-not extraordinary-and yet she is extraordinary.
The queen is privileged to be sure.
But there far wealthier people in the world who do nothing in comparison.
Would you not agree that she respects and sacrifices for this privilege?

A President? A Congress? A Republic?
Is this what we want?
I don’t.
The majority of Canadians agree with me.

Sincerely,
Laura Reardon Keefe

On a final note, I personnaly find it important we keep political links and close ties with England and the British crown as no one can predict what the future holds and in difficult times the more friends you have the better it is for you….Brits have nukes and an impressive military force…we dont.

I just wanted to offer a solution to all your topics this morning.

Let’s get rid of the groundhog, we’ve got backyard chickens already. If one of those chickens comes out of it’s coup, sees it’s shadow, and trys to tell us there’s 6 more months of winter - taser the damn thing on the spot.
The taser-fried chicken can then be deliverd to any neighborhood who wants it by our by-law enforcement officers who are out chasing our up-to-no-good hosue cats all over the city anyway.

I’d have liked to call in and voice my solution, but I’ve got an important appointment this afternoon at 4pm about 20 blocks away. With the noon hour approaching it’s probably too late to get there on public transit but I might be able to hail a cab if I leave now.

Several months ago people complained because a school in Ottawa had changed the words to Silver Bells to be more accomodating to other religions and beliefs…the majority of callers on talk shows totally disagreed with changing out history to accomodate others. Many argued that regardless of where we are going in the future it is always important to protect where we have been. February is “African Heritage Month”…will over time this erode also?

This situation is quite similar…dismantling Canadian heritage a little bit more, to what I believe, leaves us without a past. Although the opinions are not based on race or religion…they are based on modern ideas, people now missing the importance of our history…and the continuing membership in the Commonwealth. I know, I know…the Commonwealth is an old schoool idea that is losing much of its relevance. It has however provided Canadians with great beginnings. To this day Canada still sends athletes to the Commonwealth games…the second largest amateur competition in the world. The Commonwealth, as its economic sanctions, we instrumental in freeing Africa from apartheid. The British still extend rights in their conutry to all members of the Commonwealth, including embassy services where Canada has no representation.

Considering the amount of money wasted in this country, by every level of bureaucracy, the money spent on maintaining our heritage is a bargain!

In order to get rid of her, we’d have to start with the Monarchy and work our way down. The questions which areise are quite interesting:
1. Who will Canadians put on their money?
2. Who will the military swear allegence to?
3. What is the result of cutting the cord with Britian?

We need to get Britian to pay for all this crap.