Whatever it is, and however he does it, and I don't think I can give concrete examples, reading Rick Mercer Report: The Book made me remember what used to make me proud of being Canadian. It's what has been missing from our leadership for a good long while now: compassion for those less fortunate.
Whether at home or abroad, it was always what marked us and made us a distinctive country. If people were in trouble, we were there with help - no questions asked. If people needed a safe haven from a dictator, we opened our borders to them – we have nothing if not room, after all. Our armed forces were respected all over the world for being there to help settle disputes or bring vital supplies to people hit by a calamity beyond their control.
Reading this book it sounds to me that Rick Mercer wants to be proud of Canada again for those reasons. When he is critical of people for being selfish and self-serving, it is because they are doing it either at the expense of others or the future of the country. Rick Mercer Report: The Book is not just a series of political attacks for the sake of a few cheap laughs. It is a wake up call to all Canadians to remember what it was that made our country special.
If it can make an iconoclast like me think seriously about why I love my country, think what it can do for you. For those of you who aren't Canadian and wondered what makes us different from either the Americans or the British, reading this book will go a long way to offering an explanation.
Canadians wishing to buy the book can do so through Random House Canada or an online retailer like Amazon.ca.
Article comments
1 - Sarah
Rick Mercer also created a video about his new book - using his famous rant style as the platform.
Sarah