"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Saturday 2 April 2016

LET'S TALK

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "SPRING IS SPRUNG":

This is the third post in a row on gender. Time to change the subject.

It has just come to the public's attention in B.C. and Ontario that dining with the premier involves a multi-thousand dollar contribution to the governing political party. Both premiers have undertaken to present legislation that will put an end to this heinous practice.

Should there be an upper limit on what a meal costs, and are these tax deductible? 

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 2 April 2016 at 20:23

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The practice has been going on for years though on a smaller scale. When Gerg Sorbara was involved, dinners were in private homes. Numbers were less. Still it's not easy to keep something like that secret. It wasn't advertised or promoted but it wasn't secret. 

So all it took was for the press to talk about it to encourage the Premier of BC and Ontario to present legislation to put an end to the practise. 

LOL

Just  last week Premier Wynn was defending this means of raising funds for political purpose.

The new Conservative Leader held a reception in the Member's Lounge for the same purpose. He doesn't  even have enough judgement to understand a politician can't use public resources that way. 

I think I read something about an ethics complaint in connection. 

Mind you, when a Judge dismisses a jury after a five week trial and then rules municipal politicians have authority to use  tax dollars  to hire a lawyer and publish a statement in every possible venue to destroy the  reputation of a fellow Councillor, it's hardly surprising  there might be confusion among politicians of a different generation or background. 

If there are no principles  at the level closest to the people, why should we expect anything different  further removed.

Former Provincial Treasurer Dwight Duncan did not offer to let his name stand in the last election. He
withdrew from politics.

He had no compunction about making public his contribution to a defence fund for two officials from the former Premier's office who were charged with Breach of Trust while the Premier gets absolute absolution.   

Last week , Mr. Duncan and former Minister of Municipal Affairs/ Attorney General John Gerretson both expressed public  concern about being compelled  to ask for political donations in their capacity as Ministers of the Crown. 

Just think what donors might expect from either in return for financial contributions.   

That should be enough to get a conversation going. 

Take your pick

6 comments:

Anonymous said...



Thank you.

Anonymous said...

They want and are willing to pay to give the premier or whoever a piece of their minds. Most time the advice or Strong Suggestions are totally useless but it lets them feel like big shots, Like travelling with a candidate and getting a stupid selfie/

Anonymous said...

I think it amusing when both sides of an issue do one of these fund raisers or meals. It does allow lobbying without registering a lobbyist and I don't think we can even cut back on such stuff. Much like those huge weddings with all the bells and whistles to collect money for the supposedly needy couple.

Anonymous said...



Do you get more time if you pay more money?

Anonymous said...

13:49 - You know what they say....Time is money!

Anonymous said...

The Region events are disgusting. They have no money but spend like crazy just to show off. But people are impressed with grandiose stuff. Look at Trump's supporters crowded closer and classed in hopes that some of his money will rub off on them. Had he not inherited a whack of money he would just be a large crass bully with no followers or friends.