If you can't drive, you should run for Parliament

[Kjesse]

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/canad...68291-qmi.html

It would seem our own local Jim Prentice has a hard time finding a gas pedal, and hence needs someone to drive him around, with major expense to any ministry he represents.

I suppose being a minister he is now 'elite' (unlike our Flames after the loss to St. Louis) and somewhere, sometime, it was decided someone like him needs to be driven around, and is above merely driving himself about, but I don't quite get why that is.

I mean really... this is not a Tory bash, or a Liberal bash (I'm sure they did it too) but what is it about being a cabinet minister that you no longer need to be burdened with the pain of driving?

I wonder if Jack Layton also has a driver? Does he use it?

[killer_carlson]

I'm suspect cabinet ministers are on the phone 24/7 when not attending meetings or events.

I'd much rather have him being driven around that to be on the road while he is trying to dial numbers, not pay attention, and drive.

Quite frankly it is a good use of money in my opinion. I want him to maximize the time he is spending doing his job.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I want him to maximize the time he is spending doing his job.

As long as it has nothing to do with Bill C-61.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I'm suspect cabinet ministers are on the phone 24/7 when not attending meetings or events.

I'd much rather have him being driven around that to be on the road while he is trying to dial numbers, not pay attention, and drive.

Quite frankly it is a good use of money in my opinion. I want him to maximize the time he is spending doing his job.

That's a decent justification if true, but I don't think it is.

And I'm positive they won't release evidence of the same.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

As long as it has nothing to do with Bill C-61.

No kidding. Prentice is the biggest corporate tool in the Canadian parliament.

[killer_carlson]

layton will spin it into yet another way to tax Albertans.

[SebC]

Also, brutal thread title, and that's coming from someone who protested C-61 at the Prentice Stampede breakfast. Just because he has a driver doesn't mean he's somehow mentally incapable of driving.

[Kjesse]

...

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by SebC

Also, brutal thread title, and that's coming from someone who protested C-61 at the Prentice Stampede breakfast. Just because he has a driver doesn't mean he's somehow mentally incapable of driving.

If you really think I meant Prentice can't drive... and every other cabinet minister too... well, wow.

[Wookie]

I've driven him to the airport
Great guy!

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Delgar

If you really think I meant Prentice can't drive... and every other cabinet minister too... well, wow.

I'm not saying you believe it, I'm saying you implied it.

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by Wookie

I've driven him to the airport
Great guy!

How much OT did you make off our tax dollars?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Incinerator

How much OT did you make off our tax dollars?

Next CP meet, the drinks are on Wookie?

[Pastiche]

Welcome to fifty years ago. All Cabinet Ministers have drivers, heck all Deputy Ministers have drivers. This is hardly a scandal or an issue to be even remotely concerned about. Ministers are the acting chiefs of entire federal departments. Many departments run over 5000 strong. Would you expect the CEO of a 5000 employee corporation to drive themselves around and fight for parking when they have 3 important meetings to attend in that day? No. That's why they have drivers.

Next.

[Rerun]

Said cabinet minister goes to a business luncheon or dinner or social gathering. Has a cocktail before the meal and then a couple of glasses of wine with the meal. After dinner, he's standing around shooting the breeze with a few big shots and he is sipping on another cocktail.
After the business/social gathering he gets in his car to drive home. On his way home he accidentally hits a child who darts out into traffic while chasing a soccer ball. Police are called. Breathalizer given. While not legally impaired, he is close to the limit. Story hits the newspaper... scandal ensues. Opposition calls for his resignation. Government is in full retreat and is trying to spin the best light on the story.


..... and to think.... all this could have been avoided if only the cabinet minister had a driver.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by SebC

I'm not saying you believe it, I'm saying you implied it.

He didn't imply it either. He flat out said in his opening post.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Incinerator

How much OT did you make off our tax dollars?

I didn't make anything. I'm not sure he wanted to compensate me as I think the stench of my hockey equipment was overwhelming. As well I had just woken up and probably could have used a shower.

It was actually quite embarrassing. I didn't know I was picking him up, thought I was just giving one person a ride, but it turned into "oh, we're picking up the minister"

[Bobblehead]

I'm no Prentice fan, but if it lets him take calls or read things during his commute then I don't see a problem.

Now the OT is a big issue, and something that needs to be looked at.

Another issue that I'm not pleased about are the Ministers who refused to release the info due to Privacy reasons. If they are asking me to foot the bill then I think they should let me know exactly what I'm paying for.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Delgar

That's a decent justification if true, but I don't think it is.

And I'm positive they won't release evidence of the same.

This is actually the right answer.

[Weiser Wonder]

He should have to walk. Driving on our dime? Who does he think he is?