Politicians travelling during lockdowns show contempt for the rest of us

This article was going to be mostly about criticizing Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips, who had been out of the country for over two weeks on a Caribbean vacation at a time when the government he is a part of is advising everyone else not to travel.

Yet, in between thinking about what to write and actually writing it, it turns out that another politician has been travelling outside of Canada as well.

Saskatchewan Highways Minister Joe Hargrave is currently in California. He says he is finalizing the sale of his home in Palm Springs there. The Saskatchewan government has told citizens not to travel, unless for "essential purposes."

Also, in Quebec, Liberal MNA Pierre Arcand is in the Caribbean, and faces a backlash which has led to the Quebec Liberal Party leader asking him to return.

Now, these politicians are not breaking the law, but they are certainly insulting all of us with their actions.

First of all, many Canadians understandably think that travel has ceased, since that is the impression the government has given.

While politicians tell us to let small businesses be wiped out, go without seeing our families, and say "Christmas is cancelled," they are driving to airports, standing in crowded lines, getting on airplanes, travelling to warm vacation spots, and enjoying their full taxpayer funded salaries at a time when the rest of us are locked down and restricted from enjoying freedom within our own countries.

And none of them have resigned over this. They just apologize, and wait for it to blow over. What we are seeing now is something that goes beyond one political party.

Politicians of all stripes are far too insulated from the pain caused by their policies, and have exempted themselves from the suffering of the rest of the population. They have the power to make the rules, while also possessing the power to insulate themselves from the consequences.

This means our system is losing the idea of "public servants," and that is being replaced by entitled rulers, people who see themselves as a special, protected class that has the divine right to dictate to the rest of us.

The longer this goes on, the less Canada can be called a truly free or democratic country.

It is now time for both the public, and the remaining true public servants to stand up and demand the resignation of hypocritical politicians. Otherwise, the arrogance and entitlement will only get worse.