Originally posted by TheTruth
I am not sure if I follow? You do realize that happiness is not yes/no or true/false kind of a Boolean logic. So it is not like you can be happy or unhappy. You can be happy but you may yearn more. Noting wrong with that. Similarly, in your dad's case, he was not "unhappy" in India. He was just striving for better life for himself and his kids. Again, nothing wrong with that.
I do not quite get this point either:
Striving for a betterment in life (at the time it was his life alone, as he was a bachlor) is usually tied in with "happiness" as isn't satisfaction, peace of mind all a part of happiness? Although, that's debatable as well. My point is: If things are so wonderful, why does one choose to leave, then use the resources the adopted country has to offer, yet think the homeland was superior to begin with? If the homeland WAS/IS superior to begin with- why does one leave in the first place? It's also an attitude you might not understand unless you've seen this in action. It isn't as simple as love for one's country- it's not just that: It's this attitude.
What is wrong with that again? Why are you thinking that your father was entitled to "all the things Canada has to offer"? Maybe he earned those things with hard-work? Just a thought. I am not sure why should he not put India on pedestal. Ofcourse he worked hard, but one can work hard anywhere. The reason I say what Canada has to offer is because Canada's social structure is much different compared to India: Universal Health Care; EI; CPP etc. It's not perfect, but it is very different from what one would see elsewhere.
Ok, apply critical thinking and think of flip side. Say, your dad runs for the highest office in the nation. Would his original nationality not be questioned? Would he not be automatically be subject to assumption that since your dad was born in another country, he cannot love Canada as much as a person born in Canada? And that would be a valid assumption, right? Not really: It depends on how one would act in public, where he show's his love and his persona- there are plenty of East Indian born Canadians who have created niches in Canadian society and love their home land as well; without any criticism.
To use your example in a Canadian context- If he's running for the PM, it wouldn't be an issue. If he were in the United States, it would be because he is not American Born. Different nations have different political technicalities. If we're looking at a Canadian perspective there have been MPs, MLAs and Cabinet Ministers (currently and in the Past) not to mention attorney generals galore who are of Indian Origin but Canadian citizens. There is no double standard in that regard: its a democracy, you get elected; for others, if you are elected, you get selected.
Sorry for a long reply but I hope you get the point.
