A matter of honour

Re: “PM’s apology too little, too late; Given expanding details of the scandal, it’s also hard to believe,” by Michael Den Tandt, Opinion, May 24. “Senator” used to be such an honourable title. Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau appeared to be quite honourable senators until, by chance, their expense accounts were looked at.

Could it be that once individuals begin to breathe that rarefied air in the Senate, they begin to believe they are in a position of incontestable power and privilege? That they no longer need to answer to anyone, much less the lowly taxpayers who fund their salaries?

Perhaps Prime Minister Stephen Harper is correct to go straight to the source of the problem and look at setting up more stringent rules for being an honourable senator. After all, if senators can’t live within the ordinary rules of a democratic society; those of honesty, integrity and trust, perhaps they need extraordinary rules. Perhaps not every senator is made of the strongest fibre.

Deceit by government officials is not new. After all, it was way back in 1887 that Lord Acton wrote “power corrupts; and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

That’s why our opposition parties are so important in Parliament. They should be the first level of watchdog to smell corruption. I look forward to seeing more action from them.

G. A. Teske, Sherwood Park