Would Pinocchio make a good MP, (‘member of parliament’ or ‘mindless puppet’)? Yes and no. Well being a mindless puppet would make him an ideal servant of a political party he would not make an ideal spokesperson for a political party because his nose would grow when he told a lie. He would probably poke an eye of an opposition member.

What are the necessary requirements to be an MP, (member of parliament) besides being an MP, (mindless puppet)? You must be able to talk without saying anything; you must be able to do this while running out the clock. You must be able to hear without listening while being able to catch the words you want to hear. You must be able to answer a question without answering the question. You have to look like you care without actually caring.

You must be present to vote when and how you are told. You must be able to orate, the talking points that you are required to remember. An MP, (either one but not Pinocchio) must be able to stand when told, cut ribbons, eat chicken dinners and give prepared speeches. He/she must hire good staff to shuffle papers and answer phones. An MP will withhold personal opinions until after he/she retires.

An MP is there to collect a gold plated pension after six years. An MP is a reward for years of service to a political party. An MP can retire knowing he has a great pension, he served his master well, ate 914 chicken dinners, cut 879 ribbons, gave the same speech in different forms 312 times and never had to use his mind once.

MPs have family, friends and associations that understand all this. They know they are all inconsequential, and have no input. They are wallets for campaigns and national smear campaigns. They know that their MP is just a seat warmer, and their money will give their leader the power and ammunition to stay in power. They know it is all about power, absolute power to one and benefits to a few others. They accept this blindly and without a thought.

That is just the way it is.

Garfield Marks

Red Deer