MP Brent Rathgeber quits Tory caucus

[WWWTT]

This Brent guy sounds like he has really had enough.

I've been there before and I can relate to what this guy is talking about!

http://soa.li/UCIBggF

WWWTT

[Bryan]

Even I'm having a hard time understanding the Conservative's position on this bill. Full disclosure is exactly the type of thing that the base of the party wants them to be doing. Even the hard cores on Blogging Tories and the "I support Prime Minister Harper" Facebook page are really questioning what Harper is thinking on this particular issue.

Interestingly, on Rathgeber's blog post about leaving caucus, he wrote:

I still support and greatly respect the Prime Minister

Which leads me to believe he doesn't believe the bridges have been burned just yet.

The CPC national convention is coming up in a couple of weeks.... things are going to be VERY interesting.

[scribblet]

If you're going to criticize my reply for not having substance, you might want to actually reply with something of substance. My point is that you're so blindly partisan that even when the Right criticizes Harper you're here to defend him. Even when Conservatives criticize the government, you're here coming to Harper's defence. It's especially sad, since Harper is being criticized for the exact reason he was elected: lack of accountability and transparency. Y..........................

And you`re not.. really, look to yoursself. When you point fingers, two point back at you.

I don’t see how suggesting that he should’ve stayed on to fight from within is such a bad thing. It’s also pretty childish to stomp out because people disagree with you.

I’m not disagreeing with the idea or that it shouldn`t happen, but how would a federal "Sunshine List" lessen the misuse or even the perception of misuse, of money. The optics and appearance of transparency might be good for the public, but it sure didn’t do anything prevent any of the Ontario Liberal’s misappropriation of funds. I don’t know why the gov’t would want to protect the CBC hacks either as their salaries would be included in the list.

[GostHacked]

And you`re not.. really, look to yoursself. When you point fingers, two point back at you.

I don’t see how suggesting that he should’ve stayed on to fight from within is such a bad thing. It’s also pretty childish to stomp out because people disagree with you.

I’m not disagreeing with the idea or that it shouldn`t happen, but how would a federal "Sunshine List" lessen the misuse or even the perception of misuse, of money. The optics and appearance of transparency might be good for the public, but it sure didn’t do anything prevent any of the Ontario Liberal’s misappropriation of funds. I don’t know why the gov’t would want to protect the CBC hacks either as their salaries would be included in the list.

I'd say it is also childish for other members to change the major point of the bill Rathgeber tabled. How can you work with others that always work to undermine you, walking out is not childish at all.

[PIK]

He's not? Then why did a backbencher have to leave the party to do exactly what backbenchers are elected to do?

Like he said, I support the PM it is his advisors that are giving him wrong info is who I don't like. So I hope the PM sees what is going on and fixes the problem.

[gunrutz]

How pathetic is it that the leftists are now praising the act of an mp that felt too controlled when one of the issues he was controlled on was abortion, o and now they support his desire to know what public servants get paid, another traditionally important issue for leftists... This only proves once again that it is impossible to be a conservative without constantly being attacked by idiot leftist extremists. So the conservatives take a centrist, or even liberal approach to issues that some mp's don't like, those mp's are told to toe the party line, just like in every other government of the past, and now those leftists support that mp for leaving this intolerable situation. There are no words to describe how pathetic and self serving you are. Or is it that the left now supports sunshine lists and abortion laws?

[GostHacked]

How pathetic is it that the leftists are now praising the act of an mp that felt too controlled when one of the issues he was controlled on was abortion, o and now they support his desire to know what public servants get paid, another traditionally important issue for leftists... This only proves once again that it is impossible to be a conservative without constantly being attacked by idiot leftist extremists. So the conservatives take a centrist, or even liberal approach to issues that some mp's don't like, those mp's are told to toe the party line, just like in every other government of the past, and now those leftists support that mp for leaving this intolerable situation. There are no words to describe how pathetic and self serving you are. Or is it that the left now supports sunshine lists and abortion laws?

When will people learn there is no left, there is no right. We simply have politicians working collectively to screw us all over.... no one seems to get that yet. The left and right mentality and mantras only divide people. It's on purpose.

[MiddleClassCentrist]

Wishful thinking, in my opinion. I would be satisfied with Conservative backbenchers actually holding the government accountable to its promises and the party's principles.

On a side note, it's sad to see Liberals clamouring for this MP to cross the floor. It's not going to happen. The guy is a conservative through and through. The issue he has with the government is not a partisan one, which is why I'm surprised, even though I really shouldn't be, that more backbenchers haven't held the government bench accountable.

I don't want him to cross the floor. I just appreciate a politician that actually stands for something.

The current conservative party is being run by unelected PMO staffers. To the point that an MP feels the need to stand up and say something, breaking the whip. This is important.

Edited June 8, 2013 by MiddleClassCentrist

[MadX]

How pathetic is it that the leftists are now praising the act of an mp that felt too controlled when one of the issues he was controlled on was abortion, o and now they support his desire to know what public servants get paid, another traditionally important issue for leftists... This only proves once again that it is impossible to be a conservative without constantly being attacked by idiot leftist extremists. So the conservatives take a centrist, or even liberal approach to issues that some mp's don't like, those mp's are told to toe the party line, just like in every other government of the past, and now those leftists support that mp for leaving this intolerable situation. There are no words to describe how pathetic and self serving you are. Or is it that the left now supports sunshine lists and abortion laws?

Extreme leftists? There are no mainstream parties in this country that are extreme left. The Liberals are centre to centre-right, the NDP centre-left, the Conservatives are the only extreme party in this country. Why are you calling people who don't agree with you idiot extremists. I don't think Harper is an idiot however I do feel that his agenda is radical and extreme but I base this on evidence not bias. Harper's policies have personally affected my friends and family. His cuts to EI and government workers are having a negative impact in my region.

I feel that Rathgeber's decision to quit the Tory caucus was very admirable even if I don't agree with most of his views. I do agree with his bill regarding public servants however, I think the government needs to be more accountable to voters. I think that voters will support him in the next election.

[Argus]

There could be a long line up at the exodus from the Harper conservative government.

If McKay goes,then we may see a split in the right and a return of a more red tory party.

Mckay no longer has much of a following. He has too much baggage from mistakes he's made, and is no longer considered a viable option or alternative to Harper. As for a more 'red tory' party. This IS a red tory party.

[Argus]

I don’t see how suggesting that he should’ve stayed on to fight from within is such a bad thing. It’s also pretty childish to stomp out because people disagree with you.

He sounds pretty frustrated, and it doesn't seem like fighting from within is something the tory party currently finds acceptable. He's not the only one who has expressed anger and bitterness at having kids in the PMO half his age telling him what he can say, what he's to vote for, and when and where he can make appearances.

I’m not disagreeing with the idea or that it shouldn`t happen, but how would a federal "Sunshine List" lessen the misuse or even the perception of misuse, of money. The optics and appearance of transparency might be good for the public, but it sure didn’t do anything prevent any of the Ontario Liberal’s misappropriation of funds. I don’t know why the gov’t would want to protect the CBC hacks either as their salaries would be included in the list.

The point is this party and this PM were once entirely in favour of openness and transparency, but since they've been in power have become secretive to the point of paranoia. I think they didn't want people to know salaries simply because they're reflexively opposed to anyone knowing ANYTHING about how the government operates.

[jbg]

Why does your response not surprise me, scribs?

Any substantive response to story, or just a personal attack?

[Bryan]

I don’t see how suggesting that he should’ve stayed on to fight from within is such a bad thing. It’s also pretty childish to stomp out because people disagree with you.

It seems as though Rathgeber has never been a team player though. From what I've been told, threatening to walk out is what he does on the regular. By all accounts, he was nothing but a squeaky wheel as an Alberta MLA as well.

Now I agree with his take on this particular piece of legislation, but it's also possible that this was a case of him playing the "give me what I want or I'm leaving" card one time too often. It wouldn't surprise me to see the government introduce similar legislation on it's own later on.

[jbg]

It seems as though Rathgeber has never been a team player though. From what I've been told, threatening to walk out is what he does on the regular. By all accounts, he was nothing but a squeaky wheel as an Alberta MLA as well.

Now I agree with his take on this particular piece of legislation, but it's also possible that this was a case of him playing the "give me what I want or I'm leaving" card one time too often. It wouldn't surprise me to see the government introduce similar legislation on it's own later on.

The expression is "don't let the door hit you on the *** on the way out."

[Argus]

Now I agree with his take on this particular piece of legislation, but it's also possible that this was a case of him playing the "give me what I want or I'm leaving" card one time too often. It wouldn't surprise me to see the government introduce similar legislation on it's own later on.

Not a chance in hell. My reading of this government is if they could make the phone book and menus in the cafeteria top secret they'd do it. This is not a government which wants the public to know anything whatsoever about what it's doing except when it proudly announces another tough on crime bill which will be overturned by the courts.

[PIK]

When the media party is ready to jump on every misspoke word and then blow it out of porportion, I would be more secretive. Look at what they did about the 90,000 dollar check but the scandal of dalton/nixon is not gtetting much air time. One thing fior sure that has been proved their is a media bias in this country. They go out of their way to protect the libs.

[Traveller]

Mckay no longer has much of a following. He has too much baggage from mistakes he's made, and is no longer considered a viable option or alternative to Harper. As for a more 'red tory' party. This IS a red tory party.

The potential leadership challenger to watch is on the sidelines right now - Jim Prentice. Recall that Prentice had previous leadership ambitons, and later served in cabinet, then resigned with his ''Red Tory' credentials intact.

For now, he's biding his time until the '15 election is over, but if the Tories lose seats, and especially if they lose power, then look for him to make a leadership challenge.

Edited June 10, 2013 by Traveller

[WWWTT]

Mckay no longer has much of a following. He has too much baggage from mistakes he's made, and is no longer considered a viable option or alternative to Harper. As for a more 'red tory' party. This IS a red tory party.

You could be right?

I tend to to over exaggerate these crazy predictions I have.

Politicians from my experience are much more cool headed and slow/dull in their responses to changing climates.

As far as the red tory comment goes,you are probably also right about that to!

The conservatives of today are big spenders!

However there should be a note made in the difference in the direction of the spending.

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

He sounds pretty frustrated, and it doesn't seem like fighting from within is something the tory party currently finds acceptable. He's not the only one who has expressed anger and bitterness at having kids in the PMO half his age telling him what he can say, what he's to vote for, and when and where he can make appearances.

Having to answer to people with half of your experience can be very nerve raking and I can relate to this.

WWWTT

[Bryan]

Not a chance in hell. My reading of this government is if they could make the phone book and menus in the cafeteria top secret they'd do it. This is not a government which wants the public to know anything whatsoever about what it's doing except when it proudly announces another tough on crime bill which will be overturned by the courts.

That's the polar opposite of what we are seeing though. Increased auditing, and even the entire office of the PBO itself were all things created by this government for the express purpose of making this kind of information public -- even when it's bad news for them. Most of what people are calling "scandals" are only public knowledge because the Conservatives put the mechanisms in place to have them get independently released. Ridiculous spending by MPs and Senators alike has always been de rigueur, it just wan't made public because previous governments had no interest in weathering these kinds of storms.

[GostHacked]

I think you can take MacKay of the table ..

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/06/10/pol-cp-mackay-surveillance-eavesdropping.html

The data snooping on Canadians has been going on for years now. Which country is next to reveal this kind of information?