Brazeau, Harper and Idle No More
Last edited Fri Feb 15, 2013, 01:53 PM - Edit history (1)
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What Harper knew all along
It is just not possible that Harper didn't know of all the skeletons in Brazeau's closet. Even though Harper doesn't read Canadian newspapers, his loyal soldiers do, and there was a lot to read. Here's what Harper knew when he appointed Brazeau:
The Porsche-driving former model was behind in his child support payments (even while making a six-figure salary with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples [CAP]).
He was facing a charge of sexual harassment.
His organization was being investigated by Health Canada for financial irregularities tied to Brazeau's three-year tenure as CAP's executive director.
And he was a political pariah amongst other aboriginal groups who complained bitterly to the government about CAP's (budget: $5 million), legitimacy and membership. Brazeau helpfully reinforced that criticism later by describing his former organization as a "mickey-mouse club."
His behaviour since being appointed suggests that the one thing a politician needs more than anything else is completely missing from Senator Brazeau: good judgment. But whether we look at the before or the after of his appointment, one thing seems clear -- Harper's alleged commitment to Senate reform remains illusory. After years of attacking the institution as a haven for cronies, he has turned his distaste for cronyism into a principle of governance (not unlike his commitment to rid Ottawa of its opaqueness).
Harper could have made better choices for senators, but he couldn't help himself. So great is his contempt for democratic governance that he felt obliged to fill the senate with the ethically challenged and other losers. While others are decrying the descent into bathos, the Senate farce could be seen as just another arrow in Harper's voter-suppression quiver. The more public disdain for government, in Harper's calculations, the better.
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2013/02/11/Brazeau-Idle-No-More/
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The chairman has nothing but contempt for Canada and its people, and this contempt is perfectly illustrated by his senate picks. He promised senate reform, by that he meant finding the absolute bottom of the barrel candidates possible for the job.
edited to add the link
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