R.I.P. Jack Layton 1950 - 2011

[marv2]

If you don't know who this man was, it would be a likely benefit to learn a little something about him. A true inspirational individual in these times where it is nearly impossible to find in a Political leader anywhere:



Jack Layton: a public servant to the end



http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Jack+...696/story.html

Jack Layton made no room in his life for bitterness, a happy truth inscribed in history by the contents of a touching and optimistic letter of farewell to Canadians.

Written two days before the former leader of the national New Democratic Party succumbed to cancer Monday, Layton's extraordinary message is one of hope for his beloved party and country, and a moving testament to the benefits in choosing love over anger, optimism rather than despair. For those who knew him best and for anyone who took the measure of the man from afar, it is in keeping with the way he chose to live and work for most of his 61 years.

"So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic," he wrote in closing, "and we'll change the world."

He surely tried, and he had his moments in the sun. With a perennially smiling Layton out front, a resurgent NDP changed the face of federal politics in May, and it is the cruellest of ironies that the man most responsible for elevating his party to the historic distinction of official Opposition will not lead it into the House of Commons on Sept. 19.

But his letter - published in full on the opposite page - did not bemoan the lost political opportunity of a lifetime in office. On the contrary, much of its power comes from the fact that it rises above partisan politics, and will speak as eloquently to those who disagreed with him as to loyal supporters.

His last public words were ones of personal encouragement: to fellow cancer fighters, to Quebecers who rejected the Bloc Québécois in great numbers in favour of the NDP's federalist option, to party and caucus members and to young Canadians. He offered reason to celebrate all that has been achieved and to believe in the prospect of better days ahead.

The letter will serve as a fitting eulogy for a man whose shirt sleeves were forever rolled up. Tempered with cautions and imbued with directions, it should also stand as a mission statement for a party in search of a leader and a parting gift to the politically active, augmenting a considerable legacy of accomplishments over Layton's career, a career that included stints as a Toronto city councillor and Member of Parliament.

In the one moment when he would have been forgiven a statement of self-indulgence, Layton chose instead to focus on the feelings of others, to put a smile on our faces, perhaps a tear in our eye.

Though his Everyman appeal was at the root of his success, he strove to live a life less ordinary. Solid families, communities and countries are built by people who exhibit those admirable qualities.

"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world," he wrote. "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."

Canadians can do all that now, he wrote, because there are legitimate political choices to be made. His hope was that we choose to listen to his party and hold them accountable to a winning vision that he helped bring into clear focus last spring.

But he also wants Canadians to consider the alternatives in our daily lives and to opt for love over anger, hope over fear, optimism over despair. He mustered and articulated those uplifting sentiments in the final days of a life cut short. We would do well to honour them, and him.

© Copyright [[c) The Edmonton Journal

[MotownSteve]

Marv2, Thanks for posting. I think politicians in the US could learn from him

[marv2]

Marv2, Thanks for posting. I think politicians in the US could learn from him

They could but unfortunately they will not because their own self importance!

[jobeterob]

This is a very great tragedy in Canada; quite a watershed moment due to Facebook and online news.

He was easily our most popular politician in a long time. Only time will tell if this is devastating for the NDP; it could easily be. But there won't be an election in Canada for 4 years which is forever in the political world.

In any case, this is a very great personal and political tragedy.

[marv2]

Here's a great clip I found showing some of the lighter moments in Jack Layton's life: