Suggestions for Achievable Change in Parliament

[Bob Macadoo]

Given the ongoing saga of expense abuse by members and senators, disrespectful decorum by members to the parliamentary process and each other, and the rhetorical nonsense we allow these citizens to get away with in respect to these matters we need to make changes soon. Real change is required and I've long since abandoned the naive notion of dramatic shifts (eg. PR, Senate abolition, etc.)

Let's develop incremental changes that work within the existing framework, maybe we can boil these frogs before they notice they're cooked.

I'll go first.....

I saw a preview for a show on Amazon.com

http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/11/07/alpha-house-john-goodman-amazon/

for a show regarding US senators who dwell together while in DC which is based on real life

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/congressmen-house-inspire-tv-series-article-1.1364145

and then I read this article in Time

http://swampland.time.com/2013/10/16/women-are-the-only-adults-left-in-washington/

and thought how refreshing an attitude in a Capitol supposedly more vitriolic than ours.

It leads me to a what I think is a novel suggestion;

Legislate Members/Senators through Internal Economy and House Procedure Committees that all living expenses will only be paid if you submit to common housing (eg. Military PMQs but Ottawa posh) while in Ottawa with alternating party rooming. Cabinets housed with Shadows, etc.

If you don't like it pay your own freight. I don't think you'd need any constitutional amendments for that.

In the end you'll save expense budget monies, I think you'll naturally achieve more respectful decorum as you're not more likely to defame someone you know personally, and if not parliamentarians will be spending more time with their constituents as they'll want to avoid Ottawa when not in session.

Comments or Next suggestion?

[Michael Hardner]

I don't know whether I feel as bad about their behavior as I do about the overall process of passing laws. It seems to be so slow, but I haven't looked into it much...

[Topaz]

ALL Canadian see the need for change and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation have come out with their own list and I think most Canadians would agree with it except those in the senate and the MP's. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/mps-further-ensure-expense-scandals-don-t-happen-213607334.html%C2'>

Edited November 12, 2013 by Topaz

[Topaz]

ALL Canadian see the need for change and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation have come out with their own list and I think most Canadians would agree with it except those in the senate and the MP's. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/mps-further-ensure-expense-scandals-don-t-happen-213607334.html%C2'>

[Topaz]

Sorry, I'm having trouble with the computer and linking. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/mps-further-ensure-expense-scandals-don-t-happen-213607334.html

[Bob Macadoo]

The problem with those items submitted by the CTF is that they are reactive rather than proactive. It's on the assumption that most everyone is not "on the take". Those actions would serve as deterrents for a minority but how do you address the majority? There needs to be a culture change and IMO that means a overall behaviour shift from a change in daily life.

Edited November 16, 2013 by Bob Macadoo

[g_bambino]

Comments or Next suggestion?

Making people live together doesn't make them get along.

Legislating this would require the agreement of the majority of the people who'll be subject to the legislation.

It would very likely be struck down in court as unconstitutional.

[eyeball]

Suggestions for Achievable Change in Parliament

Don't do a thing...it'll collapse under the weight of it's own crap soon enough.

[eyeball]

It (process of passing laws) seems to be so slow...

Probably because we're driving a horse and buggy age democracy.