Why are Our Governments So Crooked?

[Fransisco]

Actually a true capitalist country would get rid of most, if not all of this problem.

A true capitalist country is one that would completely separate the government from the economy. In the same way that we separated the church from the state.

The problem is that we have a mixed economy where some parts of it are free and some parts of it are heavily influenced by the government. So there is a very strong incentive to buy influence. A truly capitalist country would eliminate that incentive.

[notaredneck]

There no such thing as true capitalism . Just as there is no such thing as true socialism . Why ? Because human nature . There will always be someone,or entity that feels that entilement is there for the taking and that the rest of the poor suckers just have to suck it up and pay up. Influence peddling is alive and well in both systems. It just is important be kissing the right ASS at the right time !!!

[Fransisco]

There are lots of examples of true socialism. Cuba, North Korea, the former USSR, China under Mao,Laos, Vietnam. All of which have a rich history involving pure socialism.

The closest anyone ever got to pure capitalism was the United States when it first got started. Its been sliding into socialism ever since.

[ASRG]

I don't think I was saying governments don't do every thing wrong?
From my own perspective I acknowledge the Harper government has done somethings that were helpful.....ending the CWB monopoly, probably the long gun registry (although I never had much of a problem....register my guns/register my car???) and reducing the GST.
I am not too keen on the Harper deficit....the largest in history?
The fact is Paul Martin did so much more than Stephen Harper in reducing the deficit and putting Canada into a fiscally responsible position?
As I've said before, the Harper government is "fairly competent", but come on he doesn't walk on water?
Much better than the present air head we have running Alberta....but to think he is the "best Prime Minister" we've ever had is pretty rich? I guess you have to be a real believer in neo-liberal economics, like TOM, to see that?

[TOM4CWB]

ASRG,

We are a part of world economics and MUST put up with what everyone else is doing.

PM Harper stood for Freedom and Liberty... they have worked hard to reign in the Immigration Dept and free rides for people who jump the cue and cheat to get into Canada.

Are we perfect; of course not. I see the principal that criminals should be punished... instead of 3 for 1 deals and time served...

After Liberanos de/reformed the country for over a decade and sold out more than the Mulroney Progressives did to the Bloc... It is VERY hard to argue PM Harper is anything but a breath of fresh air. Virtually everything that was promised in the election of 2011... will be accomplished by 2015.

That is NOt being 'Crooked'... it is however sticking to the promises made more closely than any Prime Minister in the past 100 years.

Cheers!

[ASRG]

Well Tom, I guess you are right about Harper filling his promises, or at least most of them......which I will admit is kind of unique in modern politics!

I might not agree with all his government is doing, or his methods.....but generally I will agree he is doing some things right!

Just my opinion on what they are doing right:
-GST reduction.
-Ending the CWB monopoly.
-Ending the long gun registry.
-Throwing healthcare back to provincial responsibility.
-promoting business.

Just my opinion on things they need to do:
-They need to move faster reducing the civil service and the overall cost of government.
-Better Environment safeguards without increasing useless, time wasting, regulations. Enforce existing regulations?
-Spending limits on military and get over the idea of fighting the USA's wars.
-Decriminalize marijuauna-end prohibition (this is a bottomless pit-time to get with the world).

Probably lots more things that need tweaking......but generally a fairly competent government.

[perfecho]

Harper has done some good things, however he lost me when he promised an open government and proceeded to be one of the most doctorial heads ever....promising everyone would be elected to their positions ....not...and a number of other broken promises. His manipulation of democracy was just as foul as the other parties.
Personally, I would rather not have parties....you elect the individuals you believe in and they would not have to toe the party line, but would stand up for what was best for our country and their constituents

[ajl]

I agree with ASRG. We can add to list
immigration reform so that only economic
class immigrants get in and some
ligitimate refugees. Do away with
'family reunification' class of
immigrants that are here to abuse social
programs.

[wilagro]

Tom you may not have such a love affair with Harper and company AFTER he and his henchman destroy the AgriStability program and you and your fellow farmers hit a few "bad" years.

Change is coming and they are going to save a piss-pot full of money by changing the eligibility threshold. Something like two billion dollars I hear. They are going to skewer farmers just as governments are on the threshold of prosperity with their MARKETING FREEDOM.

How ironic and how predictable of this government. I guess they need to save money to balance the budget which they have screwed up big time.

Oh well, we need more planes and wartime preparedness...go Harper, GO.

[Fransisco]

Willy inadvertently brings up another good incentive for corruption in governments. The desire for the unearned, or put another way the welfare payment syndrome where one believes everyone else owes them a living.

[wilagro]

francisco: All the farmers I know that received AgriStability payments certainly didn't regard them as "welfare"...rather as insurance if anything. It "cost" farmers money to enroll in AgriStability and the expense of extra accounting and bookkeeping in order to comply with the requirements for such "insurance" payments. I don't suppose YOU enrolled though...your operation is too big to fail...ahahahahahahahaha.

[Fransisco]

Are you paying the entire cost of that "insurance" or is there someone else who is maybe kicking in the vast majority of the funds? Oh nooooo... we never mention who that is!

[TOM4CWB]

Wilagro,

If I remember correctly... We were promised in the 2006 election when PM Harper and crew first got elected... a BIG change to safety net programs.

Since this is the first opportunity to effect major farm program changes (Conservative Majority 2011) it would be expected that changes would occur.

These are Fed/Prov. programs... so agreements need to be forged for the Feds to move to a different structure.

It will be interesting to see what they come up with!!!

The Cup is only half full Willy... we CAN do Better!!!

[ASRG]

I hope Harper does get rid of Ag stability.....and doesn't replace it with anything! Let's be done with these welfare programs in Canada.

[oneoff]

Why is there so much corruption?..........because we tolerate exactly the level we receive.