Wednesday, February 09, 2011

"Cabinet Confidence"

If one is being reasonable, this idea of "cabinet confidence" is justifable, in certain instances. Even on the Afghan detainee file, one can see a grey area or at least some type of logical counter, however flimsy that maybe. However, on the question of costs, how much initiatives will cost the TAXPAYER, US, that the Conservatives think they can hide behind "cabinet confidence" is pure, unmitigated bull, that is insulting on so many levels:
The federal government is trying to keep the cost of its law-and-order agenda a secret — and its refusal to make the figures public could set Parliament up for another high-stakes battle between the Conservatives and opposition MPs over access to information...

Opposition MPs say the government's rationale for keeping the estimated price tags out of the public eye — cabinet confidence — doesn't hold up and taxpayers deserve an answer.

"Their American-style justice approach has a very hefty price tag. They're trying to hide that information from Canadians using the false argument of cabinet confidence," Liberal finance critic Scott Brison said.

One, the fact the government won't release "price tags" should raise numerous red flags, that these measures cost way more than anyone has yet entertained. If the numbers were reasonable, it's hard to see why the government would be so bent on keeping them out of the "public eye". The apprehension speaks volumes, and makes it that much more important that we do have full disclosure.

There are no state secrets here, nobody's lives are being put at risk, there is really nothing to justify withholding simple facts and figures from Parliament, our representatives. The Conservatives once again trapple all over the now hysterical pledges of transparency and accountability.

If you have nothing to hide, why are you hiding? That the government seems prepared to unilaterally withhold information, creating a conflict, is all the more reason why we NEED to know the numbers. Where there's secrecy, there's secrets, and they're never flattering.

25 comments:

evilscientist said...

Perhaps this is one of the ways that Harper is trying to engineer his own defeat in the House that way he can blame the "evul opposition coalition" for causing an election.

Kelsey said...

Hi there,

I just stumbled across your blog and think it's really great! I thought you might be interested in this organization that just started up in Canada: www.leadnow.ca Right now they are specifically working on a campaign to get people to share their stories on the website in order to build a mutual understanding and dialogue in Canada. Following this they will create a Declaration for Change highlighting issues that Canadians want politicians to move beyond party politics and work together on, and challenging politicians to do exactly that. They are also working to increase participation by new voters, particularly younger voters, and create public demand for progress on major issues.

Anyway, thought you might be interested in checking it out, sharing your story on the site, and getting others to do the same,

Thanks! Keep up the great work :)

Kelsey

Tof KW said...

If so it's a hell of a stupid issue for the government to try and defend.

They already figured long ago they're caught on the wrong side of public opinion on the corp tax cuts - Tom Flanagan said as much about the tax cuts issue on P&P the other day. Do they really want to defend cabinet secrecy over spending in addition to defending corp tax cuts?

It paints a narrative, and not a very good one. And no 'Evul Koalition' will save their poll numbers this time.

Steve V said...

Kelsey

I bet you say that to all the blogs.

Kelsey said...

In all honesty, yes I've been posting on a few blogs. You're right. But that doesn't make the message any less important.

I've been going through progressive blogs for a while now, along with others, and making a list to ones to keep tabs on because we find them engaging and interesting. Yours was on that list. We've found it before, we've liked it, we keep going back.

I apologize for sounding as if I am not being genuine and not replying specifically to the post commented on. But I really mean what I say. I really do appreciate your efforts and your work, and would love for you to check out something we're working on.

My apologies! Kelsey

Steve V said...

All good, I'll leave it up because it seems a decent campaign.

Just teasing :)

Tof KW said...

It's a worthy campaign ...except Harper's never listened to anyone in his political life. So there is no effective way of getting this government to listen to anyone until he is removed from office.

DL said...

Election day will be Monday May 2. Gentlemen start your engines!

Steve V said...

Yep, that's why yesterday everyone on CTV was saying the NDP are desperately trying to find a deal, will do almost everything. Such a joke DL, honestly and truly, all you do is diminish your own credibility. The only chance to have an election now is if Harper gives the NDP absolutely nothing. Layton has already caved.

Steve V said...

And, the worst part, the only retort you have is that this some masterful NDP strategy to fool the world! Sad.

DL said...

I'm not sure what makes you think you know the inner workings of the NDP so well. Time will tell. When the NDP votes down the budget in late March - tell us how you want your crow cooked - rare or well-done?

I'm not sure what your problem is - you seem gung-ho for an election and I'm telling you, you're going to have one!! Instead of attacking me, you should be rejoicing that we can start counting down the days until the Harper gov't is history.

Steve V said...

Oh sorry, I'm just going by what your people are whispering to everyone in Ottawa, but I'm sure I'm wrong. All you do is make me laugh DL, you offer nothing by imaginary realities. If the Cons tell you to take a hike we will have an election, but you guys SO don't want. Please spare me the sad, false bravado.

Anonymous said...

Note to Stephen "Little Bush" Harper, Personal firewalls are no longer secure. Ask Aaron Barr, lol.

Anonymous said...

Note to Stephen "Little Bush" Harper, Personal protection firewalls are not very secure.

Ask Aaron Barr, the internet security EXPERT, who also let the perceived illusion of power go to his head or should I say "Let His Mouth Overload His A$$!"

The Canadian Sovereignty Party!

Kirk said...

DL: "we can start counting down the days until the Harper gov't is history"

Unfortunately if it looks like that Layton will start to attack the Liberals to sway the results back to Harper as he has done in the last 2 elections.

Steve V said...

I do hope people like DL are writing the NDP to express their opinion. I suspect the party membership isn't to happy with the prospect of propping up, so a grassroots revolt of sorts could move the NDP back from their present cave stance.

DL said...

I can't figure out whether you actually WANT the NDP to vote against the budget and spark an election or whether you want to the NDP to make a deal to keep the government afloat for a few more months - so you can then avoid an election the Liberals don't REALLY want and trot a few hackneyed talking points?

What do you actually WANT to have happen?

Steve V said...

I want you to get the slightest of clues, but apparently that is to much of a stretch.

Yes, Liberals don't want an election, everything points to that. What a freaking joke you are man, honestly and truly. I am laughing.

DL said...

Well if you DO want an election, then you should rejoice at the fact that the NDP wants one as well and is all set vote help force one. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! Learn to take YES for an answer.

Steve V said...

Go away, you bore me to tears. I want to debate, but you can't even accept what everyone knows. All of Ottawa has it wrong, some asshat named DL knows the real story. Whatever dude, I honestly don't even care anymore.


ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

DL said...

I'm not sure what exactly we're arguing about. You seem to want an election and I also want an election and it looks virtually certain that we will have one. So what's the problem???

Dale said...

I think I amy have to agree with DL on this one. Jack Layton is my MP and I was called last night to participate in a Telephone Town Hall with him. He seemed to be campaigning and the focus of his derision was the Harper Government. I can't remember him taking aim at the Liberals even once.

Steve V said...

If the NDP are moving towards an election, it will because the gov't won't move and maybe more importantly the NDP grassroots are giving them an earful. I suspect the latter is happening. All that said, anyone who actually believes the NDP WILLINGLY want an election is simply delusional. Hey Dale :)

Dale said...

Hey Steve

I reckon the NDP would be better off (influence-wise) after an election. The Liberals seem better positioned to form a minority government than they have in a long time. There is little hope that they would be able to keep it going by playing brinkmanship as the Conservatives have done. So they would need to court the opposition in order to get legislation passed and the NDP is the safe bet for a dance partner.

Steve V said...

That's interesting because the more you go on, the more I realize you have no connections whatsoever.

Done with you dude, believe what you want.