ORGANIZED CRIME : PUBLIC OR PRIVATE?

 

There is an old joke about a young boy advising his father that when he grows up he wants a career in organized crime. His father then asks him whether he means Private or Government Organized Crime. Oh my but I suspect many of our citizens, especially the younger ones, would not get it. Or would not believe it.

Our governments at all levels are subject to laws just as we individual citizens are. Unfortunately most of the laws governing their actions and behaviours, one appear to have very few personal consequences unlike ours and two seem to be greatly underused. Yes we hear about the odd case of government overreach making it's way through the courts all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. Examples would be whether or not the Federal Liberal government invoked the War Measures Act inappropriately or not during the truckers' occupation and strike  in Ottawa a few years back. Another is the upcoming Supreme Court of Canada case to decide the legality and constitutionality of the so called gun Buyback Program in Canada. From a few rifles with some characteristics, but not all, of military assault rifles the (shi#) list of naughty rifles has expanded to about 2,500 makes and models. Again some of these share visual characteristics with real military weapons although many do not.

As a general rule it might be either likely or wishful thinking that some or many of the illegalities that our various levels of government have indulged in are less due to malfeasance or misfeasance versus what organized crime may be involved in. Now of course illegalities such as Watergate, toppling of foreign governments, possible hits on members of foreign governments; all are extremely serious and can and should not be excused. 

Other illegal behaviour however can also be chalked up to politics. Gerrymandering or altering of electoral boundaries in order to artificially change the voting electorate in a particular riding happens at all levels. Failure to properly or honestly fill out election Financial Statements is another one. This has occurred here locally in Woolwich Township and was an embarrassment  to both the individuals involved as well as to the whole Township. Lobbying rules and norms are often under attack along with rules and laws around Party donations, campaign donations etc. 

Political corruption is a more obvious and bigger deal in some third world countries and non democratic locales. If the levers of government are applied unevenly or contrary to law then action may be required. That said there is no reason for smugness either in Canada or the United States as just about every possible form of political and governmental corruption has been undertaken both successfully or otherwise over the history of both countries.