What comes to mind when people think of Saskatchewan? Socialism, of course. Other things too, but certainly socialism. But since Tommy Douglas left provincial politics, Saskatchewanians have wandered back and forth on the political spectrum. Saskatchewan has 14 seats in the House of Commons. There's not a single socialist bum in those 14 seats.

Many Canadians have developed an insidious culture of self-satisfaction that comes with being told repetitively by politicians and media that we have "the best health care system in the world." We have somehow taken this patent lie as a slice of authentic Canadiana. It makes us feel good, safe and comfortable. But you don't have a "comprehensive and universal" system if it takes two years to get a hip replaced, or eight months to get an MRI after a hard knock to the head. How can we keep a straight face and call our system a caring and "universal" one if many have no where to go?

I have to admit that in the past I have expressed sharp disagreement with the direction in which Jack Layton took the NDP as leader. However, this does not take away from the immense sadness and shock I felt upon hearing of his passing away.

Last night I dreamt of Jack Layton. We talked about the messy, unpredictable vulnerability of all these human bodies we walk around in. And that surely, fair and equitable access to care for these bodies is essential to a just, humane and democratic society.

OTTAWA - The Federal Court has ordered the government to reconsider its decision to withhold parts of a secret RCMP dossier on socialist trailblazer T...