Politics Corrupt? Ya think?

Foreward - this writing is a response I wrote to an email my brother-in-law sent me about the recent discovery of corruption at Hydro One by the CEO - Tom Parkinson.

My response:

This stuff is just so typical. I personally have become quite desensatized to it, as a result. It certainly does not make what happened ok. Cuz it isnt. Corruption is always present wherever their is layer upon layer of beurocracy and crafty people to take advantage of the shadows of secrecy.

Unfortunately, if Tom Parkinson had a legal contract that guaranteed him that money in severance, then the government would have to spend even more money to fight him in court to avoid paying it. And there is no guarantee they would win or even collect. Sad, but true.

It was like the computer leasing scam with Tie Domi's brother - Dash Domi. The City of Toronto ended up paying a huge settlement to the leasing company, since fighting them in court would have cost even more money... and no guarantee of a win either. Sucks, but it happened.

Or what about the Chretien government's $250M advertising scam? I mean, how could Paul Martin or Jean Chretien get off the hook for that? But they did... and some small-time shmo got a slap on the wrist for that. At least they lost the election, which just shows that, at least, the taxpayer / voter wasnt about to let them off-the-hook... thankfully.

It's the element of human nature - greed, that is all-too-often abused on small and large scales every day in the public arena. In the private arena, it has become more difficult, especially for large companies since the exposure of Enron and Worldcom. But, the public sector is a shadowy world that is much more insulated and immune to investigation. It runs the show and we - the voters, give it the mandate to do so, and assume it holds our trust in high regard. They are virtually 'untouchable'.

I remember a few years ago a ward councillor went public (*sorry, cant remember his name) about the budget that he needed to run his office. He only needed $15K a year to run his office, whilst other councillors were spending between $45 and $60K a year to run their offices. Why? Well, he either rode his bike or took a bus to his office. Never expensed his meals, did not have a secretary or take limos, etc. But did those other councillors become accountable? Nope.

And we keep re-electing them.

In Ottawa, an MP only has to be elected once and sit for approximately 2 years and he / she automatically qualifies for a life pension. Ummm, I dont know about you, but I gotta work for many years and keep working to be eligible to collect my pension. Why do you think people want to get into public life - the perks. There are some politicians that are honest, genuine and hard-working, no doubt. But their are others that are not, and they take advantage, cuz the system allows them too... with very few checks and balances. So the chances of getting caught, especially if you are clever, are slim to none.

PS - My parents' neighbour worked for Hydro One for many years. Due to several rounds of layoffs, he was consisitenly working 70 to 80 hour work-weeks. Here's the kicker... he just got laid off recently. I'm sure his severence was not $3M.

But hey, we cant all be CEO's.