Thread by @JeffRybak

It's still too early to invite post-Covid deconstruction of what Covid really means, beyond many families suffering losses, massive disruptions in our lives, isolation, etc. But this latest snowbird controversy has pushed me to it. We need to talk about privilege. #cdnpoli 1/12

The widening gap in economic reality is the defining issue of our time. "We're in this together" isn't just a Covid slogan. It's the binding promise of society. As long as it's true, we can act together to solve our problems. When it stops being true, we're screwed. #cdnpoli 2/12

The only way we all have an equal stake in society is if we all have a fair chance to enjoy its rewards. And that's the promise, isn't it? Work hard, do well, dash of luck, and you too can be one of the winners. Even if you started from behind. Pull yourself up. #cdnpoli 3/12

Truthfully, the social bargain has been cracking for some time. We all feel it. Activists on the left and right are driven by the same grievances, the sense of being cheated. And even if their frustration is harnessed to bad purpose, the basic instinct isn't wrong. #cdnpoli 4/12

Despite growing unfairness in society, habit is very powerful. People can get used to almost anything. Taking bad transit for hours to work at a low wage job with no benefits becomes normal. And if someone earns in a week what you do in a year, that's the way it is. #cdnpoli 5/12

When it comes to the operation of privilege, Covid isn't new at all. But it is different. Minimum wage workers are essential but well-paid professionals aren't. Who gets a vaccine first? Who has access to testing? Whose elderly parents live and whose die? And more. #cdnpoli 6/12

Now we're talking about snowbirds. Cute name for people who can afford to maintain homes and lives in two countries at once. I know most don't think of themselves as wealthy. But their economic reality is beyond fathoming to many. We just don't usually look at it. #cdnpoli 7/12

Who gets to travel and why? On what terms and restrictions? When everyone gets to define what "essential" means to them, can we admit people who are used to having so much assess their "needs" differently? Do we expect people who can't even afford to travel to care? #cdnpoli 8/12

So much of this isn't about Covid at all. Covid is just a new window on existing issues that we've stopped seeing, but we can't ignore them forever. The rallying cry that "we're in this together" didn't hold because too many people have stopped believing it. #cdnpoli 9/12

Leaving aside utopian ideals, there are going to be winners and losers in our economy. But it can't become winner-take-all and even the "losers" need to have lives of dignity and hope, enjoying the benefits of our society. And they need a chance to win, too. #cdnpoli 10/12

Privilege at birth cannot become destiny. Everyone needs a chance to do better than their parents. And even more importantly, everyone needs to know they can give that chance to their children in turn. Take that away and their rage will be white hot. And justified. #cdnpoli 11/12

We may not be at the precipice today but we're getting there. Many frustrations and issues that seem unrelated are not. Listen to the underlying complaint. The game is rigged. With no chance to win, why play by the rules? Let's unrig it, while there's still time. #cdnpoli 12/12