Harper's Conservatives Lazy?

CANADA - Interesting Fact: Stephen Harper's Conservative government in Canada has only shown up to work for 14 days between June 1st 2008 and January 27th 2009.

Here's what happened... the MPs went on vacation in June.

They came back in September and announced an election.

They got elected in October.

They showed up for work in November.

They worked 1 week and then Stephen Harper prorogued parliament just so he could stay in power.

Then they returned to work yesterday and announced a budget today.

Now admittedly they do other work they're not in the House of Commons, but its minor work like answering emails and hanging out with their constituents in order to drum up support and get votes.

It makes you realize they really don't spend much time actually governing.

Indeed since June 1st 2008 Stephen Harper's Conservatives have spent approx. 197 days just hanging out and drinking beer or whatever with their buddies... and only 14 days actually showing up for work.

Note: MPs are paid a base salary of $141,000/year. So if they've only worked 14 days during the last six months that is... $141,000 divided by 2, divided again by 14 = $5035.71 per day of actual work.

And during that time have they passed any new laws? Nope, none.

Isn't it time we changed the way MPs get paid? Say knock it down to... $500/day and then only pay them for the days they actually show up for work? Maybe then they'd do some actual work.