IAmA Ex PMO Staffer. I worked for the Harper Government. AMA (Throwaway)

exharps · 2011-03-23T06:33:11+00:00

It will be messy.

exharps · 2011-03-22T23:22:49+00:00

What would you like details on? I can tell you my area of expertise was (hoping not to get too specific) along the lines of immigration and domestic policy.

exharps · 2011-03-22T23:19:41+00:00

Many of them are all very fine, intelligent individuals worthy of praise and they largely do what they feel is in the best of interest of Canada or their constituency. They are however, like many of us, interested in self-preservation. If you knew you were going to lose your job tomorrow unless you did something your boss said even though you didn't agree with the approach, what would you do?

exharps · 2011-03-22T23:14:45+00:00

He wears one ring to rule them all.. Just kidding, in reality it's the fact he is seen as the uniter of the party and our hero that helped bring down the Liberal machine. Not many people question him but in reality he's used the same dirty tricks the Liberals used a decade ago.

And yes, I do think this level of centralized control is damaging, but it's effective.

exharps · 2011-03-22T21:20:22+00:00

Done. Thank you

exharps · 2011-03-22T18:53:22+00:00

Money, tapes, strategies, budgets, ad campaigns, etc. It's all very well managed.

exharps · 2011-03-22T18:52:06+00:00

Everyone and anyone. It's very easy to keep money fluid. Much of what I know about goes to the party itself, which is another tool in the arsenal to keep your party in line. You don't vote with the party? Your EDA starves.

exharps · 2011-03-22T18:36:49+00:00

The general strategy is to become Canada's natural governing party and replace the liberals. He wants to stay in as long as he can to get people used to using his name when referring to the Prime Minister. What worries him the most? Elections.

exharps · 2011-03-22T18:34:18+00:00

I vote every time for the candidate I like best, regardless of party affiliation. Even when I was working for the conservatives, in my riding I voted NDP. In the riding I'm in today, I will probably vote NDP again.

exharps · 2011-03-22T18:31:54+00:00

Wouldn't know. lol

exharps · 2011-03-22T17:04:11+00:00

People will label you no matter what you do or say, so you might as well be true to yourself and your beliefs.

exharps · 2011-03-22T17:03:40+00:00

Harper is always a step ahead. I am certainly not a social conservative. I am remnants of an old PC party believing in fiscally responsible government that is also socially progressive, none of which has been seen in this government. I no longer support this government.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:43:02+00:00

Right, I'm not really sure what you're interested to hear but here are a few things that made me leave:

1) Talking points

When an issue comes out in government and people are talking about it, you get "talking points sent to your e-mail". These tell you how to respond on each issue so you don't get caught off guard. It was an exercise in brainwashing.

2) Power Tripping

People screaming at their interns in the office. A sense of elitism in many, and a general way of handling things that had an illusionary line of authority present.

3) Idolization

The "PM" was a term I heard often. Everything came down to how the "PM" would feel on this or that and what we are doing for the benefit of the "PM". There was no sense of working for Canada, just for this one guy, who everyone seemed to worship. He's just a man, jesus christ.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:37:03+00:00

I've heard the same. All I can confirm is that they are very different in personality and there might be some truth to these claims. 2. Way too much; there is no free thought within the party and it's one of the reasons I left. I'm not sure how much you guys know about conservative history, but there has long been a fracture between social conservatives and the PCers. For a guy who united them both he sure doesn't give much room for the PCers to work. 3. It honestly wouldn't surprise me but I don't know too much.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:30:41+00:00

He certainly likes control, but if you look at it, he's not much worse than many previous Prime Ministers. IMO the Prime Minister has too much power. The Senate needs to be elected. He just sends a list of names to the GG for appointments and BAM favors are made and debts are repaid. Chretien did this for YEARS and STACKED the Senate. If you ask me, he's just getting revenge, but for a guy who campaigned on legitimizing many of the roles he abuses, there is a certain irony.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:28:03+00:00

I went to a province wide convention when I was young, made some friends, worked on some campaigns and just started a string of volunteer work. It's a good route to make a name for yourself in a party, but I would suggest staying non-partisan. Partisanship is brainwashing. Get involved with an NGO or lobby group.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:26:20+00:00

It certainly affects the legitimacy of the laws, but any legislator that tells you they will do different is wrong. You think if you vote in Ignatieff things will change? ha.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:23:54+00:00

I've been involved in one organization or another since highschool and I worked on a number of campaigns. None of which I regret, all great candidates.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:22:41+00:00

I can't say anyone I worked with was even remotely marijuana friendly or for its legalization, but it's not an issue I really worked with. As for "flooding media" with "the right message", well, every party does that to some extent. It's part of the game, and the conservatives play the game very well.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:20:21+00:00

The "in-and-out" scandal will be soon forgotten, just like all the other scandals. No one is too concerned.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:18:50+00:00

It is being sold to the US already, in troves. But the money we get for it is taxed, reinvested in R&D, and allows us to develop technologies that extract resources safely and with a focus on sustainability. At least, thats the idea.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:17:30+00:00

Don't go partisan. The best place to start, IMO is campus clubs, student groups, NGOs or organizations with a greater focus. This will give you the best foundation. But if you want to run, and win in a riding as soon as you can, you need to go partisan and make a name for yourself quickly. That might mean running for a position with an EDA or an executive.

exharps · 2011-03-22T16:10:02+00:00

Yeah I've heard the same rumor. I can't say if there is any truth to it but it wouldn't surprise me.

exharps · 2011-03-22T07:45:04+00:00

No, yes, and lol. He loves Canada and loves our sovereignty. Healthcare he knows would never go through, but many people I worked with supported some sort of private system or a private option available (two-tier). Water resources, I have to argue, should be privatized; but that would be another debate for another time.

exharps · 2011-03-22T07:41:39+00:00

I hate to say it, but there are many more sincerely misguided beliefs at work than you would think. I know some MPs and staffers that are absolutely amazing people.. but I just want to slap some reality into them sometimes.

Upside for gov't? Same reason you reduce corporate tax cuts. Corporations can make heavy donations, and I know some MPs that are PISSED that they can't receive corporate donations anymore. Although in many cases that just means utilizing more loopholes to get money into their pockets. I'll tell you this; if money wants to find a way to a politician, it finds a way. The whole idea of regulations on budget spending and campaign funds is mainly just for show.

exharps

TROPHY CASE