Friday, September 08, 2006
Speak out
Currently in Parliament is a bill which would make the Canadian government the largest contributor ever to the reelection of the U.S. Republican Party.
You read me right. Below the fold is the full text of an email I've just sent off to my Member of Parliament. He's a Conservative, so I have no real hope that he will actually respond, much less respond as I ask... but I'll be following this with a visit to his office, and I want the betrayal and absurdity of this deal, and his participation in that betrayal, made bloodily clear.
Lots of my readers live in Mill Woods too. Join me; the Mill Woods - Beaumont representative is Mike Lake, and this kind of bullshit deserves action. Others, in other constituencies, should find their MP and do the same.
For fuck's sake. I knew the Conservatives were terrible. But this is ridiculous.
----------------------
To: Mike Lake (LakeM@parl.gc.ca)
Subject: Softwood Lumber Sellout
Hi...
I'm one of your constituents here in Edmonton, living in Mill Woods, and I wanted to write you regarding my deep concerns about the softwood lumber deal "negotiated" with the United States.
I find this deal immensely disturbing.
Forget the fact that we bargained away a position of strength. "Not one cent." That's what they're entitled to. That's what the law - ours, theirs - says. That bugs the hell out of me, but is not half so disturbing as the (fairly) recent revelations of where the money is going.
The White House's reelection war chest is currently, without us, about $300 million. This "compromise" proposes to give the Bush Administration another $450 million dollars in what can only be called a slush fund. (Reputable analysis, not just rhetoric, shows that there's no meaningful accountability or oversight on that money.)
Forgive my language, but what the hell?
In what world does this make any sense at all?
In what world is the Canadian government allowed, in any way, to throw that big a rope to a poltitical entity, one to which most Canadians are opposed, in another country? Who in their right mind thinks the Republican Party needs massive foreign aid?
If you are party to this deal you are not representing my interests as a constituent. You are not representing the interests of any of your constituents. You are not doing your job. It is wildly inappropriate for the Prime Minister to game the system and call this a vote of confidence; it is wildly inappropriate for any member of our government to back this absurdity.
Please respond and reassure me that, against all odds, you will demonstrate some kind of principle and stand to oppose this bill on the floor.
Yours,
- Eric Finley
This is a long post - Read the rest.
You read me right. Below the fold is the full text of an email I've just sent off to my Member of Parliament. He's a Conservative, so I have no real hope that he will actually respond, much less respond as I ask... but I'll be following this with a visit to his office, and I want the betrayal and absurdity of this deal, and his participation in that betrayal, made bloodily clear.
Lots of my readers live in Mill Woods too. Join me; the Mill Woods - Beaumont representative is Mike Lake, and this kind of bullshit deserves action. Others, in other constituencies, should find their MP and do the same.
For fuck's sake. I knew the Conservatives were terrible. But this is ridiculous.
----------------------
To: Mike Lake (LakeM@parl.gc.ca)
Subject: Softwood Lumber Sellout
Hi...
I'm one of your constituents here in Edmonton, living in Mill Woods, and I wanted to write you regarding my deep concerns about the softwood lumber deal "negotiated" with the United States.
I find this deal immensely disturbing.
Forget the fact that we bargained away a position of strength. "Not one cent." That's what they're entitled to. That's what the law - ours, theirs - says. That bugs the hell out of me, but is not half so disturbing as the (fairly) recent revelations of where the money is going.
The White House's reelection war chest is currently, without us, about $300 million. This "compromise" proposes to give the Bush Administration another $450 million dollars in what can only be called a slush fund. (Reputable analysis, not just rhetoric, shows that there's no meaningful accountability or oversight on that money.)
Forgive my language, but what the hell?
In what world does this make any sense at all?
In what world is the Canadian government allowed, in any way, to throw that big a rope to a poltitical entity, one to which most Canadians are opposed, in another country? Who in their right mind thinks the Republican Party needs massive foreign aid?
If you are party to this deal you are not representing my interests as a constituent. You are not representing the interests of any of your constituents. You are not doing your job. It is wildly inappropriate for the Prime Minister to game the system and call this a vote of confidence; it is wildly inappropriate for any member of our government to back this absurdity.
Please respond and reassure me that, against all odds, you will demonstrate some kind of principle and stand to oppose this bill on the floor.
Yours,
- Eric Finley
This is a long post - Read the rest.
