Pork - Canadian Style

A Canadian institution without doubt, but why do Canadians keep putting up with it?

The recent news seems to highlight how inequitably the present government is handing out infrastructure grants. Reports are that Conservative ridings are receiving a disproportionate share of this funding. In case after case, across the country, Conservative ridings are receiving significantly more money than others.

Conservatives, having been caught out, are claiming that they are justified in receiving credit for funding and that "their" people are just working hard for their ridings. As if anyone would seriously believe this bull. This government was in denial about the approaching economic crisis in the first place and had to be dragged kicking and screaming into developing any infrastructure plans at all, so I'm not sure where they deserve credit. Besides, it's not their money, it's ours.

This is a government that swore they would improve transparency and end the pork-barrel politics that has been a feature of Canadian life since the days of John A. They promised a few other things as well, but apparently that's another sacred Canadian tradition.

The Conservatives have been denied a majority a couple of times now. Analysis believe it's because voters don't really trust them. Considering what the Conservatives under Mr Harper are doing with a minority, that fear could be well founded.

It would also help if the other parties would find some leaders who aren't such duds. Sorry, but the alternatives to the Tories are pathetic.

I've got a novel idea that might resolve this. In the next election, voters should give the Tories their majority and let's see just how bad they are when they have enough seats to do what they "really" want to do. Then the Canadian electorate (should they actually remember or care enough come the next election), can relegate this regressive crew to the dustbin of Canadian politics where they so justly deserve to be.