I am utterly disgusted with MP compensation

[Remiel]

Their compensation doesn't bother me as much as their lack of accountability when it comes to expenses. At least their compensation is a matter of public record.

Hear hear.

Billions are wasted on certain programs but people don't notice unless there's a perception that somebody is personally benefiting.

So the government can waste millions on rework due to mismanagement, but until somebody personally tries to make a buck off the chaos the public doesn't care. That is so ass backwards.

There was (and still is, I suppose, technically) a game in the UK called "Track Your MPs Expenses" or something ike that, where a huge database of documents was made available online so that anyone and everyone could help comb through it to look for irregularities. It was basically crowdscourcing cleverly dressed up to make it a little more compelling. In any case, it worked: quite a few MPs lost their jobs I believe, and some may have even had cases opened up against them.

[Michael Hardner]

There was (and still is, I suppose, technically) a game in the UK called "Track Your MPs Expenses" or something ike that, where a huge database of documents was made available online so that anyone and everyone could help comb through it to look for irregularities. It was basically crowdscourcing cleverly dressed up to make it a little more compelling. In any case, it worked: quite a few MPs lost their jobs I believe, and some may have even had cases opened up against them.

I have been a huge proponent of Open Government initiatives, especially those in the UK. The US has made a lot of announcements on this, but the bureaucracy has been very slow to adopt it. In Canada, as one might expect, nothing substantive is being done.

If the thin edge of the wedge for these initiatives is to publicize MP expenses, then that's too bad. IMO, these are negligible expenses and the motivation for going this way seems to be to feed on mass indignation on such personal gains. But maybe this will lead to something more substantive.

Earlier on this thread, there was a claim that the Canadian government has been automating business functions so as to reduce costs and that the initiative has failed. This is typical of the situation with government reporting, in that this initiative is not widely known (I've never heard of it, so I doubt many have) and the purposes of the program, the budget, timelines and results are probably not publicized in one place, and probably not independently audited.

The purpose of a free press was to create a forum to criticize and thereby improve government. The press of today is limited in its ability to do this, when compared to new media. I believe that there are great rewards for the first government that successfully integrates new media into how they communicate their initiatives and how they gather feedback from the public. This is our version of the Egypt revolution, and it will happen eventually.

[Guest American Woman]

Reducing their compensation would make Canadian politics like that of the US.

Oh no! Not like that of the US! Quick - double their compensations to make Canadian politics even less like that of the US!

Given low salaries and benefits, the only people interested in the post will be the corrupt politicians that know how to convert their power into financial success through selling influence to decision making in the country.

Low salaries? Just how many Canadians do you think start out at the salaries MPs do? But yeah, assuring them a nice chunk of money if they don't get re-elected - which just could take away their incentive to act in such a way that would get them re-elected - will keep them on the straight and narrow. No corruption in Canadian politics because their MPs get handsomely rewarded for not getting re-elected/not seeking another term.

Seems as if they've assured themselves of a nice pension plan, too - at an earlier age than the vast majority of Canadians.

Seems we can always count on politicians to look out for themselves first and foremost.

[Scotty]

Canadian politics is already corrupt...has been for years. The only difference is nobody goes to jail for it.

There is some corruption, but nothing near what they have in the U.S.

[bush_cheney2004]

There is some corruption, but nothing near what they have in the U.S.

Canada has a lot of "soft corruption"....systemic corruption that is just accepted as the way of doing business, but not admitted or challenged nearly as much legally or ethically. The Americans are not bashful about such things.

At one point it appeared that biker gangs were a major constituency and influence in some provinces...maybe they still are.

[Tilter]

THE CANNIBAL

A cannibal was walking through the jungle and came upon a restaurant operated by a

fellow cannibal.

Feeling somewhat hungry, he sat down and looked over the menu....

+Tourist: $5.00

+Broiled Missionary: $10.00

+Fried Explorer: $15.00

Grilled CONSERVATIVE $50

SAUTEED NDP: $100.00

½ BAKED LIBERAL $200.00

The cannibal called the waiter over and asked,

"Why such a high price for the Politicians?"

The cook replied, "Have you ever tried to clean one?

They're so full of shit, it takes all morning."

[Topaz]

Here's some more disgusting stats, the new government ministers is costing taxpayers 9 MILLION in wages. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/cabinet-cost-soars-tories-look-trim-fat-salaries-154416487.html

[Sandy MacNab]

Canada has a lot of "soft corruption"....systemic corruption that is just accepted as the way of doing business, but not admitted or challenged nearly as much legally or ethically. The Americans are not bashful about such things.

At one point it appeared that biker gangs were a major constituency and influence in some provinces...maybe they still are.

If one looks at Cretch's behaviour over the years it's hard to refute. All he and his Liberal brown-baggers needed was the leather jackets, motorcycle boots, and badges with an appropriate pirate motif. You can forget the motorcycles; picture Bob Rae or Dion....

[Rick]

And not be be outdone, Harper's Conservatives quickly became cozy with the Hell's Angels themselves..

Maxine Bernier was even sleeping with one of their girls...

[RNG]

And not be be outdone, Harper's Conservatives quickly became cozy with the Hell's Angels themselves..

Maxine Bernier was even sleeping with one of their girls...

Go Maxine!!!11!1!

[bush_cheney2004]

Go Maxine!!!11!1!

Can't say I blame him....Mademoiselle Couillard is a "brick house".

[Michael Hardner]

Here's some more disgusting stats, the new government ministers is costing taxpayers 9 MILLION in wages. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/cabinet-cost-soars-tories-look-trim-fat-salaries-154416487.html

This is sometimes called 'chump change'.

I had to point this out through years of Liberal governments, and now I have to do it for the Conservative government. Stop looking in the change dish beside the till and look at the big picture.