Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuzz
I don't understand why politicians keep getting caught in this stuff. If you are at all unsure, take it to the ethics commissioner or whatever, tell them what your plan is, and get it cleared. Then if it comes up in public, you have it in writing that it was approved. And if it isn't fine, don't do it. You get paid enough anyway.
Why is this always so hard for politicians? Clearly this looks like an arrangement that may be in the grey zone. Why risk it? Bonkers.
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I've always wondered this myself. My sense is there's a culture around this stuff in the world of politics. Politicians see most of their peers edge their foot over the line - an account used a bit liberally here, an expense claim fudged there.
And whatever they did before they got elected, once established in government politicians tend to travel in wealthy circles, spend much of their time with corporate types and donors who make big coin. I expect a sense of resentment at the relatively modest salaries of MLA/MPs motivates them to look for every edge they can get in an effort to be compensated closer to what feel they deserve, especially since they do make genuine sacrifices for their jobs. So they get all their suits and shoes covered by expenses. Maybe take travel claims on flights their assistant was on. Stretch the truth a bit to make a residency claim.
It's just part of the game. Maybe even part of the thrill - politics tends to attract risk-taking personality types.