Sergio Marchi & John Baird

[August1991]

Where will John Baird go?

Marchi, the son of an Argentinian immigrant, a young Liberal, asked Chrétien to make him an ambassador at 39 (or so). Marchi and his wife and adopted kids have lived in Geneva ever since. Nowadays, they live through the UN at world taxpayer expense. For a guy who graduated from York University, Marchi's enjoyed a good life.

Baird? Like Marchi, I reckon he's been a political partisan from a young age. I don't know his background but I understand that he's gay. I suspect that he too will go on the taxpayer teet - whether Canada's or the world's.

Even Jim Prentice has used his political career for personal profit.

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Democracy?

When young ambitious men go into politics to become rich, then a society should fear.

Ambitious, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs wanted to be rich and didn't choose politics. Ambitious, Wilfrid Laurier and René Lévesque didn't choose politics to be rich.

Edited February 4, 2015 by August1991

[Michael Hardner]

"Personal Profit" - we need to differentiate those who have pivoted their proven talents as leaders of a large (government) organization into private sector work with those who have filled their pockets with the gold of the graft. We need, furthermore, for politicians of all stripes to desire a balance between specific economic success for certain sectors and general economic success for all Canadians. We need generalists.

[Keepitsimple]

I don't know his background but I understand that he's gay. I suspect that he too will go on the taxpayer teet - whether Canada's or the world's.

That's impossible - he can't be gay. He just can't be. We all know how Harper - that intolerent evangelist of the Religious Right could never stomach having a gay person as a trusted confidante. Right?

[PIK]

Baird has put in 20 yrs of service, never really had a life till now.

[August1991]

Baird has put in 20 yrs of service, never really had a life till now.

Millions of other Canadians have "put in 20 yrs of service". So, what's your point? Has Baird "sacrificed" anything?

I guess my question is: what's life?

"Personal Profit" - we need to differentiate those who have pivoted their proven talents as leaders of a large (government) organization into private sector work with those who have filled their pockets with the gold of the graft.

Wait a second, Michael.

A government job is largely one of wealth distribution; and politicians are largely rent-seekers. People who want to create and invent generally don't seek government jobs.

Since young ambitious people often go in whichever direction there is the most perceived benefit, I fear a society in which the greatest reward is given to those who view government/politics as the best route to material success.

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But let me get back to my OP. Many young people look at Baird and Marchi and reckon that's the ticket: go into politics for a few years and then at 40, "retire", and live in Switzerland tax-free with a diplomatic passport.

IMHO, if you want to understand the future of a society, look at its current incentives.

Edited February 6, 2015 by August1991

[Michael Hardner]

A government job is largely one of wealth distribution; and politicians are largely rent-seekers. People who want to create and invent generally don't seek government jobs.

Government is a pervasive spirit in Canadian life. "A government job" could mean a cop, a nurse, a comedian, or the head of the country. People don't grow up and say "I want to work for Imperial Oil" or "I want to work for the Government", they say "I want to be a doctor" or "I want to be a soldier"

So anybody who seeks a job of any kind is separate from somebody who wants to create and invent and separate from somebody who wants power.

Since young ambitious people often go in whichever direction there is the most perceived benefit, I fear a society in which the greatest reward is given to those who view government/politics as the best route to material success.

Your question presumes a society that sets up rewards for different career paths. We're moving towards a society with no "jobs", only entrepreneurs and a vast social safety net.