If at first you don't succeed! Trough and trough again!

Well one suspects that our federally elected officials just don't get it. Hot on the heels (and hot under the collar) of having their judicially tied 10% pay raises kiboshed by the Prime Minister, our Members of Parliament have decided the best way to the cash, is through the back door.

The National Post on Thursday revealed the latest little secret, outlining how members of all parties, even in a tense minority government situation, have found some unity on one item, that of pure unfiltered self interest. As all party representatives gathered behind closed doors (while the Prime Minister was conveniently across the ocean), they peeked through the window long enough to give a nod to increasing their perks of office.

Quietly discussing the issue (so softly that nary a taxpayer would hear!), the three main political parties feel that an increase of $55,000 would make a wonderful consolation prize to the much lamented and lost pay increase. Entertainment, travel and other little office expenses will all be topped up under the increased revenue stream.

Conservative House Leader and apparent bean counter John Reynolds, thought that the 55 thou might be a tad much and might just result in a public backlash (you think John?), so he parsimoniously suggested only a $23,800 increase now and then another $23,800 in January (No doubt to cover all those holiday festivities, New Years can be such an expensive time eh!).

For the record, your local MP is already provided with $293,000 to help keep things organized in the office. That does not include the millions of dollars set aside for any foreign travel that may be inflicted upon our hard pressed lawmakers. Strangely no one mentioned the plan to increase the office perks in the last election campaign, perhaps it was an oversight, what with all the hectic activity of trying to get consecrated er I mean elected!

Sean incognito does a wonderful job of detailing the many excesses of our "elected" officials, it truly is must reading for those that can't believe the gall of this pack of self indulgent spendthrifts.

This latest outrage from Ottawa somehow explains why we think like this.

With less than two weeks back on the job, it's the same old, same old, from the new crew on the hill. It brings to mind that ageless classic from the Who.

Yes indeed truer words have never been spoken. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss! Yes, Sadly we will and have been fooled again!


The above posting first appeared on my Boondoggle blogsite, for more stories about Government check it out.