Paying the boss to keep your job - the Conservative Party as protection racket

Senior (neo)Conservative Party staffers have been "requested" to donate to the Conservative Party. So, essentially, money from taxpayers is going to these staffers who then donate it to the Conservatives. We support the party whether or not we support the party.

Devious.

"Senior political staff in the Harper government say they have been asked to donate $1,000 to the Conservative Party, a move that has sparked resentment among some of the most stalwart supporters of the Prime Minister's Office."

Stephen Harper's communications director does what she does best - deny and obfuscate.

"...[M]r. Harper's director of communications, Sandra Buckler, said no one in the PMO has asked staffers in any way, shape, or form to make $1,000 contributions.

“Not true. Categorically deny,” she said Tuesday."

Yeah. I believe you.

"...[T]he individuals whose contributions are being sought tend to be paid in the range of $100,000 or more. Chiefs of staff, for example, earn between $124,100 and $159,500."

Well, that's okay then. They won't miss the odd $1,000 or so and they get to claim it on their income tax. A win-win situation for the Conservative party and their backers. The only people who lose are the 67% of people in Canada who don't support them.

"...[O]ne cabinet official said that meeting the $1,000 request will mean that individuals will essentially be prevented from giving money to candidates. Election rules allow for a maximum $1,100 contribution a year to the national party or individual candidates."

Aha! Now it comes out. The only candidates who get money are the ones that Our Great Leader approves of.

I know, I know. The Liberals did exactly the same thing. But for a party that campaigned on cleaning up government, openess and honestly, accountability and all that nice stuff, they are proving to be gigantic hypocrites.

What a surprise.