Steve,

You raise a very important point.

I voted for GW Bush in 2000 exactly BECAUSE of Clinton corruption. I wanted him get in there and tell John Ashcroft to nail everyone to the wall.

But they never did--see, e.g., "a new tone in Washington," etc. as opposed to the "politics of personal destruction", and I can say that there are a lot of American conservatives who are still bitter about this. There are many people (including the Clintons themselves, IMO) who deserve to be behind bars today.

On the other hand, there is only so much time and energy available to a person, an institution, a government.

If Harper gets a minority, perhaps his energy might be best spent showing people that he is not going to personally shoot missiles into space or throw women into back alleys to have coat hanger abortions.

Once you're in power, perhaps positive works better than negative.

The old "honey attracts more flies" adage, so to speak. Or maybe the "actions speak louder than words" adage.

Okay, I am still in fiction-writing mode--spent the weekend studying Buffy the Vampire Slayer scripts, which are hilarious yet serious. Catchy comeback lines in the face of mortal danger and so forth. :)

But

Posted by: JulieM at January 23, 2006 09:48 PM

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Hi all,

the "But" was a typo. :)

Posted by: JulieM at January 23, 2006 09:49 PM

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He should promise to open the books on the National Energy Program.

John Raulston Saul would fly off to join Maurice Strong hiding out in China!

Posted by: Spence at January 23, 2006 09:59 PM

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Good points, Steve. I'd love to see a team of forensic accountants & auditors going over the books to see if they can trace where the money went but how far do they chase it? The Gomery Inquiry cost almost as much as the amount stolen, partly because every Liberal or Lib-pal brought a lawyer. We're still not through all of the appeals.

Personally, I'd be satisfied if Harper & Co brought in their Accountability legislation, then strengthened the Auditor General's and the Ethic Commissioner's mandates. Let's make it so it'll never happen again. Maybe it's closing the gate after the horses are gone but at least it'll be good steps in the right direction.

Posted by: Mac at January 23, 2006 10:02 PM

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I think Stephen Harper made it pretty clear that he would be opening the books on the last 13 years of liberal rule. He certainly made this implication in his speech on the eve of the election here in Winnipeg. I have a link to that speech in my Jan 22 post.

Posted by: Michael at January 23, 2006 10:03 PM

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evry stolen dime should be returned and evry crooked Liberal should go to jail NO MERCY

Posted by: Shawn Taylor at January 23, 2006 10:06 PM

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Audit the gun registry; a billion missing dollars deserve some attention.

Posted by: kps at January 23, 2006 10:29 PM

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Give the auditor general whatever she needs, the RCMP too! I want all the corruption exposed, and punished.

..we'll give 'em a fair trial..
..and then we'll hang 'em.

Posted by: eastern paul at January 23, 2006 10:32 PM

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President Johnson locked up the Kennedy records and we never got the truth.
President Ford pardoned Nixon and we never got the truth.
President Clinton was let go and we never got the truth.

I respectively suggest that they get to the bottom of the Liberal crimes. Not knowing the truth always hurts a democracy.

Posted by: LomaAlta at January 23, 2006 10:51 PM

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The books have to be opened and charges laid where warranted. If a siiting MP is charged, so be it. With a Special Prosecutor the costs will be way less than having a whitewash inquiry, but the cost will be worth it and those charged will have to bear the costs of their own defense lawyers.

Posted by: Bruce Randall at January 23, 2006 11:00 PM

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"Personally, I'd be satisfied if Harper & Co brought in their Accountability legislation, then strengthened the Auditor General's and the Ethic Commissioner's mandates. Let's make it so it'll never happen again."

I absolutely disagree. Harper should open the books, launch several Commissions of Inquiry and bring in his Accountability Legislation as soon as he takes control. This is the only chance we will have to bury the Liberal Party of Canada. If Harper doesn't have it in him to show the killer instinct it takes to control Ottawa the CPC will NEVER get another chance. I will never vote for them again. And I will spend the next several years doing everything I can to bring about the separation of Alberta. I've had enough of this sh*t.

Posted by: John Crittenden at January 23, 2006 11:14 PM

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Top of the agenda, audit the Gun Registry. It is much bigger than Adscam.

Posted by: Monty at January 23, 2006 11:21 PM

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I would love to see the Liberal Party dissolved as a result of the endemic corruption but it'll never happen. We already know the Liberals are corrupt; yet despite that, the Ontario crowd voted them back in. How will going through an expensive exercise to prove that they're corrupt again resolve anything?

How many taxpayer's dollars are you willing to spend to chase this matter? The Libs will have lawyers, paid by our tax dollars, balking the investigation constantly. If (and it's a big if) the investigators find there's sufficient evidence to get charges, the court costs will bankrupt the nation. When it's all said and done, the Liberal nominated judges will cluck their collective tongues and give them all conditional sentences.

In the meantime, the minority will be constantly threatened so Harper & Co have to keep their eyes on the house. It's the kind of game the Liberals love to play... smoke & mirrors.

I think my position is realistic. I'd love to have more but I would be satisfied if we got that much.

Posted by: Mac at January 23, 2006 11:30 PM

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I agree Monty. But Kyoto dwarfs all of them. I'd like to see the gun legislation scrapped immediately and Gomery 2 set up. I say this because the Gomery Inquiry is already set up. All Harper has to do is ask him to continue with it and look into Martin's PM office.

There is so much Harper needs to do. And he will have the support of the Bloc if he works it right. When it comes right down to it Albertans and Quebecers want some of the same things. They can work together for the first couple years. It's important that they hold the balance of power though. And I think they will.

Posted by: John Crittenden at January 23, 2006 11:35 PM

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Mac. "We already know the Liberals are corrupt; yet despite that, the Ontario crowd voted them back in. How will going through an expensive exercise to prove that they're corrupt again resolve anything?"

It will help when some of them go to prison. And don't forget about the SEC and FBI investigations south of the border as well. They put people in prison down there. But then I agree with the thrust of your question when it comes to Ontario. This is why I predict that if Ontarioans don't change and the Liberals get back in next election, Canada will definitely split, probably into three parts

Posted by: John Crittenden at January 23, 2006 11:42 PM

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Blow the whole thing wide open for all to see. We need a majority yet.

Posted by: Dante at January 23, 2006 11:50 PM

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Hey, while were at it, why don't we adopt that same attitude towards people like Kenneth Lay and Bernie Ebbers. After all, people who hold positions of power should not be expected to answer to the law. That's for ordinary people.
For the sake of all the trouble it would cause, let's be reasonable and allow our politicians to steal from us. That's the enlightened and practical approach. Yeah, let's do that!

Posted by: Gerry at January 24, 2006 12:13 AM

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With 125 seats the Cons will be very limited in what they can do folks. They barely won and will need a lot of help from everyone else. And they wont get any help from the media. This was not a good result folks.

Posted by: Fritz at January 24, 2006 12:15 AM

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The books should be open. If they are not it adds to the cynicism of the electorate that all politicians protect their own. We voted Conservative to see a change in the way things are done and that means holding those responsible to account.

Posted by: Stewart at January 24, 2006 12:23 AM

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Hello Steve and fellow Angarians,

I have given some thought to this topic during this evening's proceedings. JulieM started it off and to a large majority on this item it seems as if we would like an investigation. Then, there is the moment of hesitation - the cost, the minority government . . . . My problem with giving 'the past a pass' is that we allow people to say that, "all politicians are the same - they cover for each other" The new Conservative government should press on - not on things that don't matter but on things that do - the Gun Registry for a start.

I must congratulate you, Steve, on your very good work and all your efforts. This Conservative win is due becuase of efforts like yours. Mind you, during the campaign I hoped that nobody would ask how you pronounced your surname, because if it is pronounced "Yankee" I am sure that the Liberals would have seen you as some American plot to take over Canada.

Well done, everybody. Let's see how the minority government goes and recharge our batteries for the next one.

Lance M. Jefferson
Richmond, British Columbia

Posted by: Lance M. Jefferson at January 24, 2006 12:49 AM

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The books have to opened to satisfy the various factions of the CPC party. It will confirm that calling the Liberals 'organized crime' was right. And it will expose the intelligence of the people who justified voting FOR the Liberals this time by saying 'Liberal corruption so what?' When they see the taxdollar amounts involved and who got them, they won't be so damn cavalier about their voting the next time. Otherwise the Liberals will be back in office after the next election with no problem.

Posted by: rockyt at January 24, 2006 12:51 AM

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If they don't go after the real criminals in this country they will look like a joke and they will get booted out in the next election. All I can say is if they let the corruption slide they are no better than the Liberals and I will not vote for them again ( as much as that pains me to type)

p.s. Start with the Gun Registry!

Posted by: Sid at January 24, 2006 12:57 AM

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Open the books, investigate, put on trial and jail where appropriate.

Apparently Ontario is not yet convinced ... Liberal perfidy needs to be made clear.

Posted by: Xenophon at January 24, 2006 01:17 AM

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It will be difficult to open the books without looking like a witch-hunt, but.........

As other comments suggest, it has to be done to restore the people's confidence in our parliamentary democracy. Expose the corruption and then prosecute to the max, then slam the lid shut on any further form of corruption. Also Harper should publicly announce that any Conservative MP or Cabinet Minister will hang on the same gallows if they even 'smell' dirty. Harper will win a huge majority after that, guaranteed.

I'd also like to see those rich, fat, bastards have to pay to defend themselves, not on tax-payer's dime. Then you'll see the motions to delay stop right quick.

GO HARPER!

Posted by: arctic_front at January 24, 2006 01:20 AM

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During a local debate, one of the candidates suggested doing away with the traditional protection against libel & slander which Members enjoy while in Parliament. The guy who floated the idea was saying debates and question period are unruly and disrespectful to the point of dysfunctional. He suggested removing this protection would force MPs to watch what they say for fear of being sued.

What do you guys think?

Posted by: Mac at January 24, 2006 01:32 AM

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I dont think Prime Minister Harper ( ya i know its not official yet) has a choice. He has to let Fraser loose on the books. If he dosnt I agree with a previous poster that it will just look like a boys taking care of the boys club again. If the Lib or that matter the CPC abuse the public trust they MUST be held accountable. This is our money,,not the Libs, not the Dippers, and not the Cons. and just as a side note,, think of it as encouragement for others. CPC members will think long and hard about stepping over the line because trust me,, who ever takes over from the CPC and we know it will happen will totally return the favour

Posted by: Ken at January 24, 2006 02:09 AM

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It worked for Cretien in the early 90's. It worked for the NDP in Saskatchewan in the 90's.

Crack those books!

lance

Posted by: lance at January 24, 2006 02:34 AM

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"My problem with giving 'the past a pass' is that we allow people to say that, "all politicians are the same - they cover for each other"

Lance makes a very good point, making me re-think my original post.

The thing is, the only "check and balance" in the parliamentary system is voting in a new government.

So I've changed my mind, to some degree.

Yes, continue to investigate, by all means--but do not make it an official Harper-led production. Pass it off to the RCMP or something. Don't make elected officials be responsible for this, make it a public servant-led investigation.

Hope this makes sense. I do think if Harper makes too many official statements before the truth is known, he will pay for it. Let him invest in the positive--but by all means, let the RCMP get to the truth and report back.

Or, the auditor general. If I'm not mistaken, she is independent from the government, right?

I don't think the public will be mad about Harper's just permitting the continuation of an ongoing investigation, particularly if this gets done early in his tenure.

Posted by: JulieM at January 24, 2006 05:54 AM

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I'm just looking forward to the libs and ndp having to vote for the accountability act, which will totally curb corporate(liberal) and union(ndp) donations...

Posted by: jb at January 24, 2006 06:15 AM

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INVESTIGATE!

Posted by: NL Expatriate at January 24, 2006 07:47 AM

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I hope Harper opens the "Liberal" books wide open, and shares with Canadians just how deep and far spread the corruption really goes.
I believe in doing this, perhaps he will finally get through to those in GTA and other Liberal strongholds, just how bad the Liberals really were.
Total transparency
In Government
In Canada
Thanks to Harper!

Posted by: at January 24, 2006 09:13 AM

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Steve, gotta respectfully disagree with you this time.

Canada is a nation where following the rules is very important. The only time it is considered acceptable to break the rules is when the rules themselves are crooked, as with the gun registry.

We need to see the full extent of the damage wrought by the Liberals, and we need to see people go to jail for it.

Paul Coffin walking off with a wrist slap after pocketing a million bucks or more is an example of why the Conservatives won this election. Letting Alphonso the Slick off will lose them the next one.

We need to be PROUD of our government. We need to look at that friggin' maple leaf and know it stands for something. We need it like we need food. That's why Harper has a shot today.

The principle is what matters, not the dollars and cents. Stand on principle, not what is expedient this week.

Posted by: The Phantom at January 24, 2006 11:01 AM

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While I'd like to see an army of auditors turned loose into everything, I guess I'd settle for a few carefully-chosen targets so as to temper the perception of vindictiveness. #1 being the gun registry. #2 being advertising contracts, specifically around Earnscliffe. #3, if it pans out, being the questionable relocation services contracts that have been revealed at Conservative Life. (HRDC would be my next choice but that may be too far back to trace now) We can probably get enough malfeasance there to keep the stink of corruption hanging around the Liberals, and possibly get enough evidence to prosecute a few of them. This would show that the Conservatives really are serious about changing the way things are done in Ottawa, that odious dealings won't be tolerated, and those involved will pay a price for it.

If they don't do it, they lose my vote. We've talked the talk about cleaning up corruption, in large part it got us elected, and if we don't walk the walk we're as hypocritical as the Liberals.

Posted by: Ian in NS at January 24, 2006 12:03 PM

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He should specifically open the books at CRA to determine if there's a correlation between political connnections and income tax forgiveness. There was at least one high-profile case a couple of years ago that you may remember was quietly swept under the rug.

Posted by: Grook at January 24, 2006 04:00 PM

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Open the books to discover where the lost billions went by all means. Open the "cold case files" that are the essence of the corruption that is endemic to any one party state party's arrogant 'entitlement' mentality.

A forensic audit into the gun registry, DIA, and all the rest is essential if canadians are ever to learn the price they pay for one party state party control over their taxdollars and lives.

In order to prevent this 'digging up dirt' process from stymying the rest of governance, an independant forensic auditor into past waste and malfeasant unaccounted spending should be established to do this work, and this special task force should thereby be given an independant life regardless of minority government changes.

Posted by: brock at January 24, 2006 09:53 PM

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I think it's imperative that they do something. If the goal is to not seem vindictive I would suggest they allow Sheila Fraser to take a look at books of the so called "Foundations". She is dying to get at those books. Canadians don't seem to mind when Sheila delivers the bad news, and it would be hard to accuse the Conservatives of a witch hunt if it's Sheila conducting it. I would imagine most Canadians would be suprised to know that Paul Martin has stuffed $40 Billion into those foundations over the last 7 years. Somehow, under Liberal logic, the independance they require to fulfill their mandate would be lost if Ms. Fraser was allowed to conduct audits.

I don't know what to think of urban voters anymore. I truly believe that urban voters are the least sophisticated voters in this country. In Toronto for certain. You can lie all you want to a Toronto voter, just so long as you make the right noises. It's not what you do that's important, it's all about what you say your going to do. Promised billions and did'nt deliver? Don't worry about it, we think you did. Joe Volpe has been dining out on this for years and he is beloved. God help us.

Posted by: Gerry in To at January 25, 2006 07:52 AM

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