ENTITLEMENTS

David Dingwall, former member of the Canadian Parliament, former cabinet minister and recently former president of the Canadian Mint said it best for us all. He was appearing before an accounts committee to explain his $700,000 expenses over and above his $300,000 salary, over and above his multi-million dollar government pension. Asked specifically if he thought he should receive severance pay after he voluntarily quit his job he replied, "I am entitled to my entitlements."

During the middle 2 weeks in October, news broadcasts were filled with desperate pleas for aid to help victims of the devastating earthquake in East Asia, the tropical storms in the Americas and the drought and aids epidemic in Africa. The reports back informed us that the flow of aid was severely restricted. That could be due to the fact that during the same period Canadians alone were spending $1 billion on Halloween costumes and treats. It didn't matter fellow human beings were cold, starving and dying of preventable diseases. We are, apparently by God, entitled to our entitlements. 

The fact of life is that we have only one entitlement and that is to reach out to the limits of our capacities, to others and to God. Outside this ideal reaction to the void, all of what we consider to be our entitlements we take in our efforts to fill the void. These 'stolen' entitlements are not our rights even though we can create and force obedience to laws that make them legal.

Tragically, if we persist in demanding our perceived entitlements to try filling the void we will self-destruct in conflict over an inadequate supply. However, if we begin claiming our right to reach out to the limits of our capacities, to others and to God, the consequence will be self-realization. (see poem)