My thoughts

Someone on my friend's forum asked what everyone's thoughts are on the Gomery report. So, I gave them mine. Here they are...

The report finally confirmed that we knew was true... the Liberal Party is corrupt. This was only regarding one of several scandals we know of, where people or companies donate to the Liberal Party, and then they get large contracts from the Government. Yes, this has gone on for decades, but by no means does that make it right.

Here's the lowdown: In this scandal, a secret program was created by the former Prime Minister with the intention of "raising Canada's profile in Quebec". (You try and define what that means) There were no checks and balances, and it was run out of the PM's Office by a couple of staff and a civil worker named Chuck Guite. (that's why the former PM has been blamed)

An admittedly small group of people (Liberals) connected to this program gave big bucks in contracts to Liberal friendly ad companies in Quebec, who did only a little work, and charged $$$ for it. Then, these ad companies, and/or their owners, took some of their profits, and donated them back to the Liberal Party of Canada in Quebec, who then used this money, illegally donated, to help win seats in Quebec. Then these companies got more contracts, and more money, and the cycle continued for years.

This is not the only time this has happened. With the Liberals in power, Liberal friends have been appointed as judges, senators, received high paying jobs in other areas of government, etc. This is NOT how an honest government works.

I like to think of it this way... your taxes and mine have been used to pay for Liberal lawn signs in Quebec in the last three elections. Signs which were then tossed into the garbage. Your taxes, hard at work!!!

As for the fallout... the present PM, The Right Hon. Paul Martin, was not blamed for this. However, as the head of the Liberal Party of Canada, his party should be held accountable. Now, they are going to return $1.14 million dollars back to the Canadian people, however, that money should not have been taken in the first place. When a regular thief is caught, they pay it back what they took, and then go to jail, plain and simple. The fact that this party is still free to run the country is in my view, unacceptable.

To that end, two of the three Opposition parties, the Conservatives and the Bloc Quebecuois, want to force the government into an immediate election. But to do so, they need the help of Jack Layton, leader of the NDP. He wants to use this opportunity to force the Liberals to agree to some of his party's views. He has given them until tomorrow to agree, or else. He has not, however, indicated what the "or else" may be.

They may involve teaming with the other two opposition parties and trying to force an election this week. (some argue it can't be done, but I think that there are ways to do it) Or, he may team with the other parties to force an election during the Christmas break.

Some say "no one wants an election over Christmas", but I say, who cares? The Conservative Party will be able to get more of their supporters out over the break, and many "soft" Liberal supporters won't bother to come out, therefore, we may do better in the polls.

Does that summarize my thoughts enough for you?

Here's a good summary post of some of the scandals that no one has yet been held accountable for.