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| Formal announcement of the Royal birth |
Survey after survey indicates that Canadians are a disinterested bunch when it comes to the House of Windsor, but to this observer that fact is the proof that in many cases, polls outright lie, where responders answer what they believe they should say, instead of what they feel.
I'm not a royalist by any stretch of the imagination, but for that matter, would oppose the abolition of the institution of the monarchy on a variety of grounds.
It would in all likelihood cost more to abolish the monarchy than to keep it, but that is hardly the point.
There is a reality that we don't like to admit, the desire to to venerate our supposed betters, whether they be Hollywood film stars, pop stars, entertainers and royalty of all manner.
How else to explain the near obsession by fans to Justin Bieber or Angelina Jolie, or George Clooney. Entire industries exist, be it magazines, radio, television or Internet which report on every move these stars make, professionally and more importantly their personal lives, to a rabidly hungry audience of admirers who for but a moment, live viscerally in a make believe world of glamor and wealth.
It's fun to be a fan, otherwise people wouldn't waste their leisure time on star-gazing.
And to those males who venerate sports stars, wasting interminable time discussing mundane statistics, they are no one to criticize, they are no better or worse, than the star-gazers.
And so it is for the monarchy, we love to observe, dream and fantasize of the life we see them live and wish that was ours.
In this regard, our monarchy is value for money like no other.
The naysayers complain that Canada wastes about $2.50 a year per citizen supporting Queen Elizabeth and her extended entourage, but it is perhaps the very best entertainment dollar that we spend.
There are Canadians who remain uninterested, but a lot less than they would have us believe.
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| Undeniably popular...even in Quebec City! |
To those who oppose spending money on the monarchy, let me say that it is a pittance compared to what the government spends on crap that is a lot less satisfying.
The fact is, that we get value for our money, not all of us, but enough to make the entire endeavor worthwhile.
To many, the monarchy, like an obsession with fan magazines and shows, is an overt hobby, while to others a guilty pleasure, enjoyed on the down-low.
As for Great Britain, the monarchy is the greatest value-for-money in terms of tourism which is inestimable, as foreigners flock to London to witness the pomp and circumstance that is the changing of the guard in front of Buckingham Palace, a visit the Tower of London, or to witness a royal wedding or the birth of an heir.
Any talk of the monarchy being a financial drag on the British economy is outright poppycock, the monetary value in tourism dwarfs any outlay by the public purse.
A high point of my sojourn to London was a visit to the utterly fantastic Buckingham Palace, an adventure that I won't soon forget, and if truth be told, far outranks those visits I made to the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, those most highly regarded of tourist attractions worldwide.
For great entertainment value I can't recommend enough a visit to the Palace of Versailles or other castles and palaces of Europe. It is an experience that you'll never forget, the breathtaking opulence and beauty not soon forgotten.
True, all of this was built on the backs of the common man, but so were the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China, but that doesn't stop us from visiting, so no carping from the holier than thou crowd.
There is a reality, yet a mystery about our human existence.
Why do little girls dream of being swept away by knights in shining armor or handsome princes in dazzling regalia.
Why do little boys dream of glory in battle or the sports pitch?
Why do none dream of winning a Nobel prize or discovering a cure for cancer?
There is a beauty in dreams that only the Grinches among us can deny.
And so to all of you who are watching with outright ebullience, the goings on surrounding the birth of the next Royal, or to those slipping in a surreptitious and stole moment before the television coverage, all I can say is enjoy.
Nobody can tell you what to enjoy and to the spoil-sport anti-monarchists and nasty separatists, all I can say is to piss off.
For those who complain about the pittance the government spends on the monarchy it is important to understand that there are plenty of things the government spends money on that the overwhelming majority of Canadians disagree with, like the $20 billion that is shoveled to Quebec each year by taxpayers in the rest of Canada.
For Quebec nationalist who oppose the money spent on the monarchy, I propose a deal....you can imagine what it is.
Congratulations to the Windsors on the birth of the baby royal.
We wish him long life and success and look forward to following his every move.
Dear readers, please take advantage of the comments sections to offer your congratulations or to voice your displeasure....after all we still live in a free country, the legacy of our British heritage!
