Harper Government™ Appoints 7 Senators

[Slava]

Its of little consequence, but 7 more senators were appointed today. They're comprised of failed candidates and CPC organizers as far as I can tell. One of them was elected to be a senator in waiting just a mere 7-8 years ago here in Alberta. Of course she would've likely been appointed anyway for her service to the Reform Party back in the day.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stor...s.html?cmp=rss

Cue the "The Liberals would do the same thing, only they're worse" comments sure to fill out the thread!

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by Slava

The Liberals would do the same thing, only they're worse

Thanks for making it easy.

Seriously though, the senate system is wrong IMO, appointed senators by the ruling party who serve for life (essentially) is in no way democratic.

[Slava]

If Harper would appoint me though I would suddenly change my mind, and change my mind on his government as well!

[To Be Quite Honest]

Anything to clear the Crime Bill and make some money off tax payers!

[CaptainCrunch]

Until there's meaningful senate reform that involves the constitution being reopened, thats the way the game was played.

If you look at the break down of appointments

Chretien appointed 75 senators PET appointed 81 Mulrooney 57 and Martin 17

As much as you want this to point out that Harper is evil and running a secret agenda, its just the way the game is played.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by Hanni

Seriously though, the senate system is wrong IMO, appointed senators by the ruling party who serve for life (essentially) is in no way democratic.

Democracy isn't the be all end all. Unfortunately most people don't realize this and are willing to blindly follows calls of "democracy" all the way to oblivion.

[Rathji]

I don't think the Senate is democratic, but I am unconvinced that it really needs to be to serve its purpose of a 'sober second thought'. I do think the current appointment and sit for life system is a giant bag of BS though.

Elected would be good, but if you gave senators a fixed term of longer than 4 years (maybe 6) it would make any appointments unlikely to sway the balance of power unless the ruling party had been in power for more than 2 'normal' election cycles. At that point you could argue that they should have more seats, as they more than likely represent the views of most Canadians.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Until there's meaningful senate reform that involves the constitution being reopened, thats the way the game was played.

If you look at the break down of appointments

Chretien appointed 75 senators PET appointed 81 Mulrooney 57 and Martin 17

As much as you want this to point out that Harper is evil and running a secret agenda, its just the way the game is played.

He tried to push through Senate reform when the Liberals were in power and they scoffed at it

on one hand with a majority government I was kind of hoping he would now, but I can understand his "now that I can do it I should" attitude towards it

I hope he does it before the next election

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by evman150

Democracy isn't the be all end all. Unfortunately most people don't realize this and are willing to blindly follows calls of "democracy" all the way to oblivion.

I agree, this country needs a strong leader, appointed for life.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Until there's meaningful senate reform that involves the constitution being reopened, thats the way the game was played.

If you look at the break down of appointments

Chretien appointed 75 senators PET appointed 81 Mulrooney 57 and Martin 17

As much as you want this to point out that Harper is evil and running a secret agenda, its just the way the game is played.

I'm not pointing out any secret agenda, its public knowledge and just feels like a secret because he waited until 4pm on a Friday to release it. That is the shame in all of this; these poor folks earned a chance to get in the senate, but because of the timing of the announcement they don't get the full media attention they so richly deserve!

Why not just open the talks and reform things though? He has the majority and really has no excuse at this point...

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

He tried to push through Senate reform when the Liberals were in power and they scoffed at it

on one hand with a majority government I was kind of hoping he would now, but I can understand his "now that I can do it I should" attitude towards it

I hope he does it before the next election

I'm not even sure anymore what it would take to change the Senate rules. It would ben nice if he loaded the Senate to ensure that reform went through which included term limitation.

[burn_this_city]

Even with the majority doesn't he need buy in from all the provinces who ratified the constitution?

[evman150]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I agree, this country needs a strong leader, appointed for life.

Thanks for the conscientious response.

I think you just managed to write a book on logical fallacies in eleven words. Bravo.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Slava

I'm not pointing out any secret agenda, its public knowledge and just feels like a secret because he waited until 4pm on a Friday to release it. That is the shame in all of this; these poor folks earned a chance to get in the senate, but because of the timing of the announcement they don't get the full media attention they so richly deserve!

Why not just open the talks and reform things though? He has the majority and really has no excuse at this point...

Senate reform would still have to pass through the senate though. As of today he has more then a small majority in the Senate so maybe he can bring it up in the house.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by evman150

Thanks for the conscientious response.

I think you just managed to write a book on logical fallacies in eleven words. Bravo.

Thanks professor, keep up the good work as the self appointed intellectual standard of CalgaryPuck

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by evman150

Democracy isn't the be all end all. Unfortunately most people don't realize this and are willing to blindly follows calls of "democracy" all the way to oblivion.

No democratic system is perfect by any stretch of the imagination but I'll take elected senators with fixed term limits any day over senators appointed for life by whoever happens to be in power.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I agree, this country needs a strong leader, appointed for life.

I hear Putin might be available soon.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Locke

I hear Putin might be available soon.

I would totally vote for him.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Can someone explain to me the Senate system? What do Senators do exactly?

[evman150]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I would totally vote for him.

Under my Putin-headed regime, crotchety middle-aged men don't get the vote. Sorry.